In the recent report of the Economist Intelligence Unit, concern has been expressed to the effect that the much lingering Teesta Accord might even be delayed as the general elections of India are approaching. It has also been said that the accord's future is still in the dark because there is much to be seen about what the new government in India actually thinks about the deal.
Earlier this year, during talks on the sidelines of the International Solar Alliance Founding Conference in Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reassured Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid of the signing of the Teesta water sharing deal. Mr Modi noted that his government was trying everything to 'keep all concerned on board.'
Even though he did not take any name, there was little doubt over his reference to Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal. But there was obvious doubt over whether the Modi government could be able to sign the deal at all during its tenure nearing an end.
In fact, the issue of a treaty has remained unsolved for long due to the unyielding opposition of a mercurial Mamata Banerjee. The disputed Indian politics between the country's central government and West Bengal chief minister has denied Bangladesh its fair share of Teesta water.
No doubt, Bangladesh has granted India all-important transit privileges through its territory at an extremely concessional rate to transport goods to landlocked North India and at the same time refused a safe haven to Northeast India's militant groups.
But Bangladesh's promptness for India's consent to allow Teesta flowing down through the lower riparian country has often been outwitted by Mamata. A pendulous Mamata has either failed to understand the essentiality of Teesta water for Bangladesh or deliberately ignored the deal and the rights of the country.
Mamata's consent to accompany former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh in 2011 and pulling out from the trip at the last moment, and again coming to Dhaka a day after Narendra Modi reached in 2015 and assuring Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 'have faith' in her and later refusing to approve the Teesta deal during Hasina's visit to India later all reflect her utter indecisiveness over the issue and a lack of political wisdom in strengthening relations with India's most friendly neighbour. The sour relations between Modi and Mamata have also cast shadows on the future of the deal.
Even if murky internal politics of India has become the impediment to the two neighbours coming even closer, Bangladesh must not cease its attempts to make India realise as to why the deal should be signed in the greater interest of the two countries.
An unflinching Modi step, which India's central government can certainly plump for against provincial decisions in the country's national interests, is extensively sought by Bangladesh.
India has got to understand the longer they delay in signing the deal the more an anti-India sentiment may arise in Bangladesh, which may be damaging for the good relations the two countries are currently enjoying.
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