Teesta-LBA: Mamata pledges to play positive role

Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee was in Dhaka on a three-day visit. Her entourage included ministers, eminent cultural, business and media personalities. Bangladesh invited Mamata to attend the International Mother Language Day programmes which commemorate the Language Movement of 1952. Diplomatic sources in New Delhi and Dhaka hinted that Mamata came to Bangladesh with a compromise formula on sharing of Teesta water. The External Affairs Minister of India reportedly telephoned her prior to her departure for Bangladesh and conveyed her best wishes.
The West Bengal Chief Minister told her hosts in Dhaka not to worry about the Teesta water-sharing deal but pointed to 'some technicalities' of the problem. The Teesta deal was to be signed during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit in 2011. Both the sides reportedly agreed to a 50-50 share of the water of the river that originates in the Indian state of Sikkim and runs through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. But the deal fell through because of stiff opposition from Mamata. She said she had to cancel her visit fours years ago due to some reasons and 'all hurdles will go now'.
According to her, the dispute over the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) has already been solved. A bill in this regard now awaits the Indian parliament's approval.
Mamata proposed a series of steps to cement cultural bonds between West Bengal and Bangladesh. West Bengal and Bangladesh could make films jointly. She paid rich tributes to the language martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the mother tongue Bangla. Mamata called on President Abdul Hamid at the Bangabhaban, visited Bagabandhu Memorial Museum and attended a reception hosted by the Indian High Commissioner.
Mamata Banerjee told the Bangladesh prime minister on the 21st February that she would play a positive role in solving the Teesta water-sharing issue soon by keeping the interests of both West Bengal and Bangladesh in tact. Hasina gave a warm welcome to Mamata at Gonobhaban. They had one-to-one meeting for half an hour. Mamata hoped that the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) would be ratified in the current session of Lok Sabha.
If the LBA is implemented, 51 Bangladeshi enclaves within the Indian territory will go to India. Similarly, 111 Indian enclaves will be added to Bangladesh. The residents of the enclaves, who have been living without any kind of basic facilities for decades, will be free to choose either of the two nationalities.
The West Bengal CM emphasised on enhancing cultural and trade ties between Bangladesh and West Bengal. She proposed introducing direct bus service from Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka. Her government would take initiative so that Bangladesh TV channels and movies could be broadcast and shown in West Bengal. She outlined a joint business council to remove obstacles faced by businessmen of the two countries.
Mamata proposed development of the Bangladesh part of the Sunderbans to attract tourists from all over the world. Setting up of a SAARC industrial park was proposed where industrial enterprises of the member- countries will be established. The FBCCI president suggested acceptance of BSTI certification as this is one of the major barriers to exports from Bangladesh. Bangladeshi business leaders asked the CM to address the issues of para-tariff and non-tariff barriers to facilitate Bangladesh exports to India.
The Teesta river flows from Sikkim which itself has many water projects that deplete water flow to West Bengal. If Sikkim can be persuaded by the Modi government to release more water to the Teesta, West Bengal will be able to share it with Bangladesh.
The election in West Bengal will take place in 2016. The BJP and the Trinamool Congress will contest the election. It is reported that it will not be politically desirable to sign the Teesta deal before the state election. The BJP, which has been gaining ground in West Bengal, has posed a big political threat to the Trinamool Congress. Mamata came to Dhaka to demonstrate to the people of West Bengal that she is popular with the government and people of Bangladesh with a view to winning the 2016 legislative election. We have to wait and see how this political game is played out between BJP and TNC (Trinamool Congress).
An assessment may be made about Mamata Banerjee's visit to Dhaka. It was primarily a goodwill visit and more of a public relations exercise to prop up her image in West Bengal. There was no scope for signing any agreement. Mamata Banerjee appeared to be very positive but diplomatic. She told us to keep faith on her about the Teesta water- sharing deal which is four decades old. She mentioned about LBA agreement which was also cited by Modi. She wanted to secure the interest of West Bengal in the water-sharing deal which was once finalised for signature by Manmohan Singh. If she proposes a new formula, it will be delayed again. She may be putting the issue on hold before the next  election in West Bengal.
Mamata Banerjee was overwhelmed by our hospitality. She wanted to earn the sympathy of our prime minister prior to her election. She has been showing a helpful attitude to the Teesta deal as the Indian prime minister appears to be in its favour.
The writer is an economist
and columnist.
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