No official comment has been made by India or Bangladesh about dates of the visit. Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman might visit India in late November or early December as both countries engage in discussions through existing bilateral mechanisms for the renewal of the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty which expires on December 12, NDTV has learnt.
Tarique Rahman to visit Japan next week
The proposed documents seek to expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, human resource development, skills enhancement, civil aviation, trade, environmental conservation and local government modernisation, BSS reported. However, the possibility of Rahman’s visit to India hinges on the conclusion of the discussions as Bangladesh is keen to project the successful renegotiation of the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty as a victory of the Tarique Rahman government. Bangladesh and Japan expect to sign more than four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during Rahman’s visit and issue a joint statement outlining the outcomes and future direction of bilateral cooperation. Tarique Rahman is also expected to visit energy and industrial installations, an LNG terminal and power plant, a nuclear facility and a Toyota plant in Nagoya. The Bangladesh Prime Minister will deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum during his visit.
Earlier this month, Bangladesh’s Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee expressed hope that a new treaty with India will be signed before December 12.
“Restoring the guarantee clause, as in the 1977 agreement, is one of Bangladesh’s top priorities in the new treaty,” Anee said after a seminar titled “Rethinking the Future of Water: Youth Leadership, Justice and Cooperation,” United News of Bangladesh (UNB) reported. India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has said that India’s invitation to Rahman for a visit remains valid and there is no need to rush the trip.
