Teesta issue won’t be discussed during Modi’s visit: FM

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Friday said the Teesta issue was being discussed behind the scene, urging all to have patience 'a bit' for getting a concrete outcome, reports UNB.
"Discussions are on behind your eyes. Let the discussions go on and success will come. We're certainly hopeful. You have to have patient a bit," he told reporters saying diplomacy does not take place publicly, rather it always happens behind the scene.
The Foreign Minister said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's visit indicates that discussions on Teesta are on and all will know when success will arrive regarding the issue.
Mahmood Ali, however, made it clear that the Teesta issue will not be discussed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.
The Foreign Minister who was briefing the media on Modi visit also said Bangladesh will mainly focus on connectivity issues. "Work is on to build South Asia as an integrated region."
Asked whether he was disappointed as Teesta will not be settled, he said, "No. It's an ongoing process. You'll know once the results are there."
Mahmood Ali said nothing happens overnight and there is nothing to worry about an issue which is still under discussion overlooking the success achieved so far in other areas like settlement of Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).
Responding to a question of fresh line of credit (US$ 2 billion), he said it is under process and an announcement will be there once it is decided.
Earlier, in his written statement, the Foreign Minister said the instrument of LBA ratification will be exchanged during Modi's visit apart from signing a number of deals.
Bilateral trade deal, coastal shipping deal, bilateral cooperation agreement between BSTI and BIS and Cultural Exchange deal, MoUs on Human Trafficking and Fake Currency control will be signed, he added.
He, however, did not elaborate further on the deals.
Talking on the issue, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque said there will be a number of new elements in the trade deal but modalities will be informed later. He said there will be focus on boosting regional trade facilitating trade and services.
The Foreign Minister also said the relations between Bangladesh and India reached to 'historic height' in recent days.
Asked whether there will be any meeting with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, he said it is not the right place to tell about it.