Kuldip Nayar resents India's move on Tipaimukh
Expressing guarded resentment over India's initiative to construct the Tipaimukh dam, noted Indian journalist Kuldip Nayar yesterday said the “water issue” could either “spoil” or make a “solid ground” for Indo-Bangla relations.
“Oh yes. I am going to write an article in the Indian media suggesting to the Indian government that it should look into the issue seriously and take risk of spoiling or improving Indo-Bangla relations,” he said.
India is pressing ahead with plans to build the controversial dam on the Barak river in its northeastern Manipur state, despite repeated assurances that it would not go for any project that might cause adverse impacts downstream.
The veteran journalist, now in Dhaka for the five-day programme of South Asia Social Forum 2011, was speaking to the news agency on the sidelines of a literature festival at British Council in the city.
The daylong Hay Literature Festival was organised commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of poet Rabindranath Tagore and to bring Bangla and British littérateurs closer.
The Daily Star organised the festival in association with the British Council and Jatrik.
Kuldip Nayar said both India and Bangladesh now enjoy very good relations and both sides should be careful to nourish it further.
He said issues of sharing water from the Teesta river and constructing the Tipaimukh dam are crucial in sustaining the excellent relations between the two neighbours.
Prime minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Dr Gowher Rizvi, who attended the festival, declined to comment on the issue.
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