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India, Bangladesh finalise draft on water sharing

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, June 6 � India and Bangladesh have finalised the draft on the proposed water sharing agreement on Teesta and Feni rivers. The two countries are expected to sign the agreement during Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh�s Dhaka visit later this year.

�India and Bangladesh held discussion on issues related to sharing of waters of Teesta, Feni and other rivers, including Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar, dredging of Ichamata river and bank protection works along common rivers,� a joint press release stated.

�We are very close to resolving the issue of Teesta River sharing agreement,� Secretary, Ministry of Water Resource Druv Vijay Singh told newsmen, adding that the two sides also discussed sharing of water of common rivers. On whether the meeting also discussed sharing of waters of other rivers, Singh said that feasibility study, database and other issues will be taken up first before the issue of sharing comes. He expressed optimism in solving water-related problems of the two countries. The meeting was held in an atmosphere of great understanding and cordially, the joint release added.

The Indian delegation included Devendra Sharma, Commissioner (Ganga) and Member of JRC, Ministry of Water Resources, TS Mehra, Senior Joint Commissioner (Ganga) and Dr Deepak Mittal, Director, BSM, Ministry of External Affairs.

Bangladesh Water Resources Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Wahid-uz-Zaman, who is leading the three-member Bangladesh team, called on Union Minister for Water Resources Salman Khurshid at his office and invited him for a minister-level Joint River Commission talk with his Bangladeshi counterpart Ramesh Chandra Sen in Dhaka.

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