Indian Bangladesh Going to Talk on Sharing of River Water

11 January 2010 No Comment

India is going to talk with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s on the controversial issue of Sharing water of Teesta River. Bangladesh Prime minsiter Sheikh Hasina is on her three day visit to India from Jan 10.

The controversy is over the Tipaimukh dam which would help India to tackle floods and also produce hydel electricity. According to report, India has approved the plans of producing 1,500-megawatt of Hydel Electricity from this dam in northeastern Manipur state on the Barak River, which flows through Bangladesh before reaching Bay of Bengal. It was also Proposed by India Government to sell some power generated by dam at cheap prices to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is against this dam, because of the warnings from experts according to which this dam will affect the life of 20 million Bangladeshis living in the northeastern region and would also dry up the two rivers in Bangladesh the Surma and Kushiara.

The main opposition in Bangladesh is by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who have threatened Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to launch a massive protest if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would agree to building of Dam by India.

According to Officials, BNP is opposing the issue for political gains in Bangladesh by provoking the anti-India sentiments. Hasina’s government says it is trying to address nagging power shortages that have slowed industries and kept investors away. Hasina is also likely to discuss buying electricity while in New Delhi.

Bangladesh and India already have a water sharing agreement on Ganges