Priyoranjan Dasmunsi told this while addressing a press conference in Kolkata on Tuesday.

In reply to a question of BDNews correspondent, he said that the Indian government does not want to see any dent in relationship with its neighbours particularly with Bangladesh over the river linking issue.

India is giving priority over maintaining good relation with its neighbours, he said.

The stance of India on river linking was reflected in the recent budget as no fund was allocated for the project. But they are planning to carry out feasibility study over river linking projects in Southern Zone.

India has a plan to evaluate the feasibility studies of river linking projects in Southern and Northern zones by December this year, he said.

Dasmunsi indicated that India has not yet mobilized fund for implementing river-linking projects. He said that the central government would discuss with local elected representatives and political parties prior to implement the river-linking project in respective zones.

When his attention was drawn to the stalled process of water-sharing of the Teesta river, Dasmunsi said India is eager to reach a meaningful solution with Bangladesh at earliest.

He also refused to term the persisting crisis over the Teesta water-sharing a 'tension'. It is rather a 'misunderstanding between two countries', he said.

"Issues of difference will be discussed at political level of both countries," Dasmunsi said.

Blaming the West Bengal government, Dasmunsi said due to their negligence the Teesta project was not implemented on time.