Dhaka, Oct 09 – Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen Wednesday said the signing of the deal on the withdrawal of water from Feni River has brought India under a legal framework.
“There are many wrong perceptions regarding the Feni river deal with India. India will withdraw 1.82 cusec drinking water for a town. They have been withdrawing drinking water from the river for a long time from the upper stream. Now they have come under a legal framework,” he added. The minister came up with the statement when the journalists asked him about the Feni river deal after a seminar on “Success of Bangladesh Diplomacy during the last Decade” organised by Diplomats magazine at Palm View Restaurant of Army Golf Club in the capital.
Momen said the Feni river deal has enabled Bangladesh to stop the illegal withdrawal of water from Feni River by India.
“The deal has enabled us to have the authority to stop the illegal extraction of water by India. It’s a win-win matter. Besides, it’s also pleasurable that we are giving them something.”
He said the deal has made India dependent on Bangladesh on taking water from river of Bangladesh.
“The deal has also created a kind of dependence of India on Bangladesh,” he added.
Asked about what Bangladesh has achieved during the recent visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India, he said, “Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has talked on all issues with India. We are not dissatisfied with anything. We have got many things say we would bring gas from abroad and then sell it to India. It will help our country.”
“Besides, we have academy where India would provide training for our young people who are not getting jobs. It seems to me that the visit was very good,” he added.
Regarding Teesta agreement, he said, “Prime minister had raised all matters including Teesta water sharing. India has agreed in principle to sign a framework agreement on the Teesta water sharing.”
Asked about the foreign relations with India, he said, “The foreign policy of Bangladesh with India is at a warm level. Such good relations were not before.”
Regarding Bangladesh foreign policy, foreign minister at the seminar said Bangladesh follow the principle of friendship to all and malice to none.
“During to such police Bangladesh has very good relations with its neighbours including India, Nepal, even Myanmar,” he said.
Regarding Rohingya crisis, he said, “We had many problems with Myanmar and we solved it’s through dialogue. We had Rohingya crisis in 1992 and at that time we solved it through discussion. This time we also want to solve it through peaceful talks.”
He also urged the Bangladeshi Diaspora to draw international attentions at different levels on the Rohingya issue so that more pressure is created on Myanmar to take them back.
He also said, “We have very good relations with both China and India because we make a balance in our relations.”
The minister said Bangladesh has very good relations with different international platform like United Nations, Non-Aligned Moment, Organisation of Islamic Conference.
Regarding the business environment of Bangladesh, he urged the investors to invest in Bangladesh to get hundred per cent benefit from here as a good investment environment is prevailing here.
Among others, chairman of parliamentary standing committee on foreign ministry Muhammad Faruk Khan, former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, former Ambassador and editor of Diplomats Shahed Akhtar, member of the board of advisors of Diplomats Farzana Chowdhury, spoke on the occasion.
Abul Hasan Chowdhury said Bangladesh has a lot of success in the diplomatic areas since its independence. “Despite various constrains, Bangladesh has made impossible possible in various field due to its diplomatic success.”
Regarding Rohingya issue, he said, despite various constrains Bangladesh hosted the Rohingyas which has been internationally acclaimed. “Rohingya crisis is a manmade calamity and it should be resolved as soon as possible,” he added.
“The success of Bangladesh foreign policy is more compared to its lacking. We have much success in foreign policy in UN and peacekeeping mission. Bangladesh has been branded as international peacekeeper by UN peacekeeping department,” Faruk Khan said. – Staff Reporter
