Indian PM Narendra Modi must have left Dhaka a satisfied man achieving demonstrative success in clinching the deals with Bangladesh that India had been striving for. Apart from the long–awaited LBA, a record number of 22 deals, MOUs and renewals were struck with Bangladesh.
All this happened under the tapestry of very warm welcome that the government and people of Bangladesh accorded to him, Mamata Banerjee and his delegation. Media in its coverage has been highly laudatory, even bordering on the euphoric about the Modi visit. Headlines like 'Dawn of a new era', 'Visit full of expectations' and 'New horizon opening to relations' made Modi almost appear as a positive influence for change.
Basically, we repose faith in Modi as a man of action and persistence to get things done. In this light we welcome Modi's expression of confidence to reach a solution on the long-standing issues of the Teesta and Feni rivers. 'Humanitarian concerns' as they are, these are matters of rights as well of co-riparian country. It took four years since LBA and Teesta looked like done deals during Manmohan Singh as PM but Teesta can't brooke that kind of a delay.
Modi's meeting with leaders across the broad political spectrum, especially with BNP leader Khaleda Zia, has been a politically correct step.
We look upon Modi with high hopes to deliver on his 'neighbour first policy' with Bangladesh-India relations as a major component of the policy paradigm.
