`B`desh for long-term deal on water sharing with India`

Dhaka, Jan 23 (PTI) Bangladesh is seeking to ink an
interim pact with India on water sharing of Teesta river to
lay the "foundation for the desired long-term deal" on all
common rivers, a top official said Saturday.
Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes said Bangladesh wants
to sign agreements with India on sharing of all common rivers,
including the Teesta.
"We want to sign a long-term deal on Teesta's water
sharing, but it requires hydrological survey data, which is a
time consuming process," Quayes told mediaperson here.
"Therefore, we want to sign an interim deal on the
Teesta's water sharing and this accord will lay the foundation
for the desired long-term deal in future," he underlined.
During her New Delhi visit earlier this month, Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina pressed India for conclusion of
agreements on water sharing of Teesta river and other common
rivers in the spirit of 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. The two
countries decided to call the ministerial-level meeting under
the format of Joint Commission.
Earlier on Wednesday, Foreign minister Dipu Moni said
that the Awami League-led government was looking to sign an
"ad hoc" deal with India on Teesta river.
Even though lower riparian Bangladesh shares 54 common
rivers with India, the two neighbours have only signed the
landmark Ganga Water Treaty in 1996. (MORE) PTI