The official confirmation yesterday that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi would be joined by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Shantiniketan has raised speculations if the vital issue of sharing the water of Teesta river deal would come up.
The three prominent Asian leaders are set to meet at Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan at the inaugural ceremony of Bangladesh Bhaban. There were widespread speculations in political and diplomatic circles in Dhaka. "Our prime minister may touch on it as she does not avoid picking up issues of national interest," one retired diplomat told The Asian Age.
The diplomat added, "The issue is also sensitive in regards to Bangladesh-India bilateral ties as the prime minister (Sheikh Hasina) has left no stone unturned to further boost friendship with our very important neighbor."
Political analysts said the prime minister needed a positive answer from New Delhi and Mamata, who has blocked the treaty to be signed, as this is the election year. "She has to tell the electorate on the status of the issue as the opposition has already started using its infamous anti-India card," one political science teacher told The Asian Age.
An official in the Prime Minister's Office, however downplayed the trio meet, saying "it is so far just a speculation."
"It is not on the official tour itinerary, but they will be together for sometime at Santiniketon," he told The Asian Age.
Officials said it was also set that Sheikh Hasina was scheduled to leave Dhaka for Kolkata at early morning of May 25, where she would join Modi to fly to the convocation of Visva Bharati University.Visva Bharati Vice Chancellor Prof Sabuj Koli Sen will receive Sheikh Hasina and Modi. Hasina and Modi will also inaugurate the Bangladesh Bhaban.
Agency reports said Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor described the Bangladesh Bhaban as a symbol of Bangladesh-India friendship. He said it will turn into a center point of practicing literature, art and culture.Hasina and Modi will hold a meeting over lunch at the Bangladesh Bhaban. After attending the program, he will leave for New Delhi.
Sheikh Hasina will visit Jorashanko Thakur Bari in Kolkata, Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home, which has been turned into a museum dedicated to the life and works of the Nobel laureate.
On May 26, Prime Minister Hasina will leave Kolkata for Asansole to receive an honorary D Litt degree to be conferred upon her by Kazi Nazrul University at its third convocation.She will return home on Saturday evening after a visit to the Netaji Museum.
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