Delhi wants to move quickly on water sharing issues: Indian envoy
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami has said they want to move "very quickly" on water sharing of six common rivers during the 50th celebration of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations.
"We see no barrier to sharing water with Bangladesh. I think we can move very quickly. The main thing is to come up with data," he told UNB in an interview.
The Indian high commissioner emphasised harmonising data from both sides.
Doraiswami said the technical committee-level meeting is likely to be held in the first week of January and then the two countries can put together a broad framework of sharing water.
After the technical committee meeting, water resources secretaries will hold a meeting to try and finalise it within this year of celebratory.
"We've to share the waters. We're friends. We're neighbours. I think this will move very quickly," said the High Commissioner expressing his optimism to hold the Joint Rivers Commission meeting in 2021 if the pandemic allows.
Border Management
Responding to a question on border killing, the High Commissioner said "We agree that no life should be lost on both sides."
He further added that larger economic development must happen.
Vaccine Cooperation
"You've your own regulatory process for the vaccine, as soon as your regulator clears the vaccine, our regulator will do the same. I think the agreement has already specified how much vaccine will be delivered each month," said the Indian High Commissioner.
Doraiswami said they would be happy to do more, if possible, not just the supply of vaccine but they are ready to do a medical trial to go to the production phase and co-production.
Rohingya Crisis
Responding to a question on a perception that India is not doing enough on Rohingya issue, the Indian High Commissioner said, "I don't know what's expected from us to do when we fully agree that these unfortunate people must be escorted back to their home."
"We speak to Myanmar at every level, the highest level of civilian government, the highest level of military establishment in the State of Rakhine. Our position is also clear there," said the High Commissioner.
Doraiswami said the only thing that they are not doing is that they are not intervening in the direct negotiations. "We're friends of both Bangladesh and Myanmar."
Celebration of Partnership
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to join the celebrations in March 2021 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's Independence and 50 years of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations.
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