Restructure Joint Rivers Commission: Indo-Bangla roundtable

MUMBAI: Stating that the present system to deal with the issues involving trans-boundary water resources is inadequate, an India-Bangladesh round-table held here has called for restructuring of the Joint Rivers Commission, and an integrated approach to solve unresolved issues.

The round-table, convened by Strategic Foresight Group over the last two days, was attended by senior diplomats, MPs, former ministers and experts from the two countries, a press release issued here said on Wednesday.

"Given that current functioning of the Joint Rivers Commission is inadequate as there are in effect two parallel national river commissions, it is necessary to establish an India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission headed by a prominent Indian or Bangladeshi leader on an alternative basis," the speakers at the round-table emphasised, the press release said.

While the participants were for finalisation of the Teesta river agreement, it was noted that it is not feasible to negotiate a separate agreement for each of the 54 trans-boundary rivers between India and Bangladesh and it is necessary to adopt an integrated approach for sustainable management of all shared rivers.

The participants also noted that efforts should be made to explore how water cooperation can be used as an instrument of broader economic cooperation by increasing connectivity, harnessing the energy potential, exploring eco-tourism and other innovative commercial activities for improving livelihood conditions of the people in the basin.