Indo-Bangla talks underway on sharing of rivers Teesta, Feni

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to Bangladesh that deliberations are underway for conclusion of an interim agreement on sharing waters of rivers Teesta and Feni as soon as possible, the Centre said today.

Union Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat said this in reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

The Government of India has been in discussion with the Government of Bangladesh to have an agreement on sharing of common rivers including Teesta on a fair and equitable basis.

Specifically, he said, the issue of signing of agreement on Teesta river has been discussed by the two governments at various levels including Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) meeting at the level of water resources ministers, technical level meeting of JRC, Joint Consultative Commission meeting at the level of external affairs minister and the meeting of secretaries of water resources.

Union government has also discussed all points involved with the government of West Bengal at appropriate levels and endeavour of the government is to arrive at an agreement on Teesta waters, which is acceptable to all the parties concerned, which protects the interest of all stake holders, he said.

"During the recent visit of Dhaka in June 2015, Prime Minister conveyed that the the deliberations are underway involving all stakeholders with regard to conclusion of the interim agreement on sharing of water of rivers Teesta and Feni as soon as possible," Jat said.