Hasina, Manmohan discuss Teesta water sharing, transit

ADDU CITY (Maldives), Nov 10: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday discussed in details the sharing of the Teesta river water and transit facilities for India, reports UNB. The two prime ministers held discussion at Dr Ali's Restaurant of Shangri-La's Villingili Resort at 11:45 am, hours before the formal opening of the 17th SAARC summit here. PM's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told the news agency that the two leaders had positive discussion on the Teesta water sharing and transit issues. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed the hope that the completion of the strip maps of the remaining parts of the common border would be signed soon. She was also optimistic that the ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement and the Protocol would take place in the soonest possible time to resolve the issues of exchange of enclaves and adverse possession of lands. Hasina said Bangladesh expects that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for movement of Bhutanese and Indian trucks up to 200 yards across the zero line at Burimari-Chengrabanda and Benapole-Petrapole would operational soon. Bangladesh is seriously considering the Indian request for opening haats on Bangladesh-Mizoram-Tripura border, she said, adding that the Kurigram border haat has been working well. Hasina thanked the Indian Prime Minister for allowing to Rohanpur-Singabad rail route for Nepalese transit cargo through Bangladesh. "All three countries will benefit from this connectivity," she said. Referring to the three trial runs for the multi-modal transport from Ashuganj to Agartala under PIWTT, she said Bangladesh is waiting for feedback to move forward. Purchase of electricity from India also came up for discussion in the meeting. Hasina underscored the importance of signing an agreement in this regard soon. "I hope we will be able to buy power from Palatana Power Plant in Tripura and from other power projects in the northeast India, Bhutan and Nepal," she said. The Prime Minister also expressed the hope that the projects financed under Indian grants, on Feni Bridge, Akhaura-Agartala rail link, upgradation of road from Ashuganj to Akhaura will start soon. The Indian Prime Minister demonstrated his positive attitude towards different issues and said Bangladesh and India enjoy very good relationship and this will be strengthened in the future. Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Ambassador at large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary Sheikh Waheed uz Zaman, Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes and PM's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present in the meeting.