FM hopeful of signing Teesta deal

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday expressed his optimism over signing of the Teesta water-sharing deal with India, saying it remains ready for signing since 2011.

"India frequently reiterates [its commitment] about it. It remains ready to be signed. I think it would be done," he told reporters at Rajshahi College but did not give any possible signing date, UNB reports.

He said the Teesta deal could not be inked due to India's internal reason.

Momen said human resources and rivers are very important assets, but it will be a curse for all if their best uses cannot be ensured.

The minister said Bangladesh and India are working on 54 common rivers.

In October last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted that the people of Bangladesh have been waiting to see the early signing and implementation of the framework of interim agreement for sharing of Teesta waters as agreed upon by both governments in 2011.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed that his government is working with all stakeholders in India for the conclusion of the agreement at the soonest possible time, according to a 53-point joint statement that termed the relations between the two countries "a bond transcending strategic relationship".

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami has conveyed his government's commitment to finding mutually acceptable solutions to all the issues with Bangladesh.

Bangladesh and India are in discussion to hold a water resources secretary-level meeting in December before the minister-level talks between the two countries on water issues, officials said.

The two countries expressed optimism to hold a Joint River Commission meeting this year to discuss water sharing of common rivers.

Momen said the government of Hasina will never sign any deal against the country's interest and its people, but will enhance connectivity with India for a win-win situation for both.

"We will boost connectivity. We say connectivity is productivity. We will boost connectivity on all fronts for development," he said.

Momen said the relocation of Rohingyas from the crammed camps of Cox's Bazar to Bhasanchar in Hatiya was being delayed due to pressures from some international agencies and non-government organisations, our staff correspondent reports.

He was talking to journalists yesterday after visiting Varendra Research Museum in Rajshahi city .

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina decided to relocate the Rohingyas to Bhasanchar. Most of them are eager to go there. We are unable to fix the date for the relocation as the process is being delayed because of pressures from some international agencies and NGOs," he said.

He added that the Rohingyas are living in congested camps on 6,800 acres of land in the hills which are prone to landslides. The present site had no jobs to offer the Rohingyas. Also, more and more Rohingyas were getting involved in drug trading and human trafficking.

Bhasanchar is a beautiful place where the Rohingyas can engage in many economic activities like agriculture and rearing of cattle. We want entrepreneurs to build resorts there so that the Rohingyas can get employment opportunity.

He said the government was trying its best to make the relocation as soon as possible dealing with the challenges.

The foreign minister hoped that the new US government would play a strong role against the human rights issues that were violated in the case of the Rohingyas.

"Solid and mature politicians are coming into to the new US government. We hope our bilateral relations will flourish under their leadership. We expect strong US role in Rohingya and climate change issues," he said in reply to a query.

He said the government expects the US to decrease the tariffs for the products they import from Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi businesspeople pay 15.6 percent tariffs while exporting products to the US, whereas the French businesspeople pay only 0.5 percent.

"We pay the highest despite not being a developed country," he said.

The minister ended his two-day visit to Rajshahi through exchanging views with teachers and staff of Rajshahi Government College.