Interviewed by: Ashiq Rahman

Written by: Fabia Shahzadi

Mamata Banerjee’s taking control of power will not bring a positive change for Bangladesh. Throughout Bangladesh-India’s economic relationship and especially over the Teesta treaty, Mamata has shown her lack of interest. There is no assurance that Mamata will withdraw her objection after taking hold of the power for the second time. Since Mamata’s politics is highly biased towards West Bengal’s benefits, Mamata didn’t accompany Manmohan Singh during his rule on his trip to Bangladesh to avoid any deal regarding the teesta treaty. When Manmohan Singh agreed on the treaty without Mamata’s consent, she didn’t take Manmohan Singh’s initiative in a positive way and later didn’t accept it.
Dr. Tareque Shamsur Rahman, a faculty member in the International Relations Department of Jahangirnagar University told in a special interview at The Daily Amader Orthoneeti that when Narendra Modi made the Dhaka trip he didn’t once mention anything about the teesta treaty. The deal was made to give 50 percent water to Bangladesh but that would create a problem in West Bengal which Mamata didn’t want. Mamata didn’t disclose the water distribution terms to the West Bengal people which in return helped her acquire more votes.
Dr. Tareque Shamsur Rahman said Mamata holds a huge power there and at this moment she will not sign any treaty because that might result in loss of votes and deduction in BGP. To the other question he replied, if Mamata Banerjee would have wanted then she could have implemented the proposal submitted by professor Kallyan Rudro Commission. Mamata herself formed this Kallyan Rudro Commission. As far as I know, Kallyan Rudro Commission has been saying repeatedly that West Bengal could have still hold on to their own benefits, had they given Bangladesh 50 percent of the water. But that was not acceptable to Mamata which is why the treaty is still on hold.
Is teesta treaty possible at all? To this question Dr. Tareque replied there is still hope. The distribution of teesta water is a matter which Mamata deals selfishly for her people’s benefit with the central government. Although Mamata can confirm a package deal which will include financial matters regarding this treaty but according to international law, it isn’t confirm whether Bangladesh will receive the right amount of the deal. Mamata possesses a very unpredictable character so it is difficult to grasp what she will do in the future.
When asked if Mamata will keep her promise, Dr. Tareque said Mamata was supposed to work as a facilitator between India and Bangladesh but her past history has the least connection with the present. Mamata is now a very powerful figure in West Bengal and this further entertains our doubt that she might not agree with the teesta treaty terms.
Dr. Tareque believes to speed up the teesta treaty pressure should be given to the central government and a meeting to be set between the river commissions of both involved countries. Bangladesh should take all necessary steps to execute teesta treaty.
If this matter is not resolved, there is not other way but to raise this issue to the international platform. Our coastal border issue was not even solved by a two sided meeting; it was only resolved by the help of international court.
Therefore the persisting dispute regarding teesta project, West Bengal’s objection should make us think that we can seen international assistance as we did for the coastal border issue since it is our ethical right.