A day of busy activities saw our PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Shaikh Hasina sign 22 agreements and it is a landmark achievement in the relationship between India and its neighbouring country. However, the eyes were on Teesta Water Treaty as the deal was set to be signed during the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh six year ago but was postponed at the last minute after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s objection over it. Teesta water is crucial for Bangladesh especially in the lean period when the water flow often temporarily comes down to less than 1000 cusecs from 5000 cusecs. As says is there, Modi means business as he held extensive discussions with Shaikh Hasina on ways to strengthen ties between the two neighbouring countries in the matter of mutual interest. The bonhomie agreements between the two countries touched a new high and the takeaways for Bangladesh touched sky high in helping for acquiring military equipment. Other matter of mutual interest including bus service between Kolkota and Dhaka and the pact for passengers and cruise services on the coastal routes. Talks were productive and yield desired results and helping out the friendly nation in key areas of defence and civil nuclear co-operation. It was indeed a pact day for the two nations.
Jayanthy Subramaniam
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
