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Foreign affairs experts at a roundtable on Friday expressed their optimism over an added momentum in Bangladesh-India relations in the new tenure under the leadership of two prime ministers, giving a new beginning with prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s full-fledged bilateral visit to India after Eid-ul-Azha.

They noted that Bangladesh-India relationship was now an example for the entire world and the beauty of this relationship was its continuity in addressing issues through discussions.

Former foreign secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, former ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad, executive director of Centre for Alternatives professor Imtiaz Ahmed, professor Shahab Enam Khan of Jahangirnagar University’s Department of International Relations, president of the Press Club of India Gautam Lahiri, senior Indian journalist Devadeep Purohit, DCAB president Nurul Islam Hasib, among others, joined the event moderated by Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta.

‘Bangladesh-India relations is now an example in the world,’ said former state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam while speaking as a chief guest at the discussion titled ‘New Governments in Bangladesh and India: A New Beginning to Further Develop the Relations’ hosted by the daily Bhorer Kagoj at its office.

He said that there was a discussion on a bilateral visit apart from the recent visit of prime minister Sheikh Hasina to India to take part in the oath-taking ceremony of her Indian counterpart.

‘The visit is taking place. We are very happy,’ Shahriar said, highlighting achievements made over the last 15 years.

He said that there was a 33-point joint statement issued during the state visit of the prime minister of Bangladesh to India in September 2022 where issues like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, energy cooperation, people-to-people contacts, broader connectivity and others were mentioned.

Shahriar Alam said that the forthcoming visit of the prime minister would help advance the relations in those areas.

He hoped that the next meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission would be held soon, noting that the 38th meeting of the JRC was held in New Delhi in August 2022 wherein various matters pertaining to cooperation in the water resources sector were discussed.

The Joint Rivers Commission has been functioning since 1972. It was established with a view to maintaining liaison in order to ensure the most effective joint effort in maximising the benefits of common river systems. The JRC is headed by water resources ministers of both countries.

During the bilateral visit which is likely to take place on June 21-22, the two countries are expected to sign a number of MoUs and agreements and there is an issue of making announcements on some areas of cooperation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his opening remarks, moderator Shyamal Dutta said that the two countries had new elected leaderships and there was willingness from both sides to make relations deeper as the relations as seen to be passing through a golden chapter.

Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury highlighted the importance of the relations and hoped to see some progress in terms of water sharing of common rivers during the new tenure of the Indian government.

He also talked about the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty. ‘We hope to get our fair share,’ he said.

Earlier, in 2022, the two leaders welcomed the formation of a Joint Technical Committee to conduct a study for the optimum utilisation of water received by Bangladesh under the provisions of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty.

Shamsher said that it had been proved that Bangladesh is the most trusted neighbour of India. ‘If we can share blood in 1971, I believe we can share water, too,’ he said.

Professor Imtiaz said that both Bangladesh and India were benefiting from decolonisation and the two countries needed to bring new dimensions to the growing relations.

‘I think we need to bring something new in our relations. We have long been talking about Teesta water sharing and border killing issues,’ he said.

Professor Imtiaz emphasised enhancing people-to-people relations, noting that there is a need for growing South Asian minds.

He talked about the project  — Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project — an idea that came from Bangladesh where China has shown interest.

Professor Imtiaz also referred to Bangladesh foreign minister Hasan Mahmud’s remarks regarding India’s interest in the same project.

‘I think it is possible to transform the geopolitics of conflict to geopolitics of cooperation. Because, India has good relations with China in many areas including in trade,’ he added.

Munshi Faiz said that it was an opportunity for India to take the leadership by taking all onboard as it had a desire to take leadership roles at regional and global levels.

He said that there might not be water adequately in Teesta but it was important to share whatever available to use. ‘We need to find solutions where the problem lies,’ he said.

Regarding Teesta project, the former ambassador said that it was not China’s proposal but they showed interest at the request of Bangladesh.

Professor Shahab, who is also executive director and CEO of Bangladesh Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs, said that Bangladesh was receiving a huge Line of Credit from India but its execution was slow.

‘Huge LoC is coming which is very impressive. Money is there. Political commitment is there. But in terms of execution, I think two countries need to be more pragmatic,’ he added.

The expert said that the Chinese delivery of projects was very fast, even the US was also very fast. ‘The US remains the largest investor till now and China remains the largest trading partner of Bangladesh,’ he said.

Gautam Lahiri said that the two countries resolved the land boundary issue after many years and he hoped that there would be a solution regarding Teesta at some point.

There is a need for expediting the discussion regarding CEPA, he said, adding, ‘We should not waste time. We need to move fast.’

Gautam said that efforts were needed for water management and there could be dredging efforts in Teesta jointly to avoid flooding.

He said that India believed that Bangladesh would not do anything that may harm India’s interest and Bangladesh needed India’s cooperation to fulfill its goal of becoming a Smart Bangladesh.

Gautam hoped that the upcoming visit of prime minister Sheikh Hasina would be a milestone in Bnagladesh-India relations.

Describing Bangladesh as an important force under the leadership of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, journalist Devadeep Purohit said that the elephant in the room was Teesta.

He said that it was very important to save the river as there was no adequate water in it. ‘We need strong pragmatism to take the relations to the next level and there is genuine love and affection for Bangladesh,’ he said.