Bangladesh for sub-regional cooperation in hydro power

Bangladesh yesterday pitched for a sub-regional cooperation in hydro power sector involving India, Bhutan and Nepal, and equitable share of Teesta River water.
“If we work together we can get the cheapest and cleanest power,” Mashiur Rahman, economic affairs adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, told reporters yesterday after he and Gowhar Rizvi, the international affairs adviser to the PM, wrapped up a three-day visit to India.
Asked if Bangladesh hopes to get half the share of Teesta waters, Rizvi declined to mention the quantum but said, “We are for equitable sharing and the benefit of the people living in catchment areas of the river.”
Since the larger portion of the catchment area of Teesta is in Bangladesh, Dhaka has argued its case on the water-sharing citing the needs of the people in the area.
Indian Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal is expected to come to Dhaka ahead of Manmohan Singh's visit next month, but the dates for Bansal's trip are yet to be finalised, said Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Tariq Ahmed Karim.
Mashiur Rahman said the focus of the Indian Prime Minister's visit would be primarily on water-sharing, power sector, connectivity and economic cooperation.
Answering a question on Bangladesh allowing India to use Chittagong for trade, he said it depends on the cargo handling capacity of the port.
He said Bangladesh has suggested India more boarding and boarding-off points for the Maitree Express train running between Dhaka and Kolkata, so that it truly becomes an “India-Bangladesh friendship” train instead of just a link.
On assessing the outcome of the Indian prime minister's oncoming visit, Rizvi said, “I am confident there will not be any let down for either side. Rather, there will be elation on both sides.
The two advisors of the PM met Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and other senior officials of the Indian Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday and had a 30-minute meeting with Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram yesterday before flying back to Dhaka.