BNP will be unhappy, if Teesta deal not signed: Noman

The BNP will 'be unhappy' if Teesta water-sharing deal is not signed during the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Bangladesh, a party senior leader said,  reports bdnews24.com.

"My party was hopeful that the much awaited Teesta water-sharing deal would be signed during Modi's visit," vice-chairman Abdullah Al Noman said at a programme at the National Press Club in the city on Monday marking the 34th death anniversary of the BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

"And if the deal is not signed then we will criticise it, we will speak against it," he added.

Modi is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on June 6 for a two-day visit.

Indian foreign ministry officials said at least twelve agreements related to roads, railways, waterways, business, security, infrastructure and communication would be signed during the visit.

India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, however, made it clear that Teesta water-sharing deal would not be signed during the visit.  

The BNP vice chairman said, "Support or opposing Teesta does not make us pro or anti-India. We are asking for creation of infrastructure to ease transit facilities between the countries.

"We are saying that there should be trade and business with the neighbours."

The BNP leader, however, hoped that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee would eventually contribute positively to the Teesta water-sharing deal.