Dhaka concerned over fall in Teesta flow

Bangladesh has expressed concern over the ‘drastic fall’ in water flow of the Teesta River and sought steps to ensure adequate water flow on Bangladesh side. Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, now in India on a three-day visit, discussed the issue with Indian Water Resources Secretary Alok Rawat on Wednesday. During the meeting, the Foreign Secretary indicated that common rivers should bind the two countries together, according to a media release issued by the foreign ministry in Dhaka. During the meeting with the Indian Commerce Secretary, Haque raised the issue of non-tariff and para-tariff barriers and both sides stressed devising a sectoral mechanism in this regard. The Foreign Secretary will have talks with his Indian counterpart Sujatha Singh on Thursday. He will also meet Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, according to a news agency.