Teesta water deal soon

India has assured Bangladesh that agreements on Teesta water sharing and land boundary demarcation will soon become a reality.
The assurance was given to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by Indian Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh, who visited Dhaka early this week.
Ramesh told Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency yesterday, "Of course, there were concerns on Teesta and land boundary agreement that were raised by Bangladesh.
"And I reassured the [Bangladesh] prime minister that our government is committed to both these agreements becoming a reality soon."
On Teesta water sharing treaty, Ramesh said he has assured Hasina that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "is in touch with the West Bengal chief minister" to address the concerns raised by her.
"We are working with the West Bengal chief minister to address their concerns. We recognise the importance of the Teesta and land boundary agreements," he said.
On the land boundary agreement, Ramesh said "we are hoping that we will be able to introduce the Constitutional Amendment Bill" in the current monsoon session of parliament.
The Indian government has to get the agreement ratified by parliament before implementing it as it involves exchange of land.
At a meeting between foreign secretaries of the two countries here last month, Bangladesh had conveyed its unhappiness about non-implementation of the land boundary agreement.
Bangladesh had also raised the issue of Teesta water sharing which could not be signed last year because of strong opposition by UPA constituent Trinamool Congress.
Ramesh termed as "very productive" his visit to Bangladesh where he met with the prime minister, foreign minister, health minister, environment minister and rural development minister.
On trade relations with Bangladesh, Ramesh told PTI that Bangladesh's export to India last year was around $ 500 million, and all import duties on exports from Bangladesh have been abolished except for alcohol and cigarettes.
"Bangladesh's exports to India attract no import duty. We have to buy more from Bangladesh. We are also now permitting Bangladesh FDI in India.
"Originally, four years ago, it used to be in the negative list. Now, we are permitting. We welcome Bangladesh investment in India," he said.