Modi tells Hasina of strong efforts to sign Teesta deal, implement LBA

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told Sheikh Hasina that his government is vigorously working to sign the Teesta water-sharing deal and implement the Land Boundary Agreement.

Modi informed the Bangladesh prime minister of the efforts to iron out the thorny issues in a bilateral meeting after the inauguration of the 18th SAARC summit at Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque informed the reporters of this after the heads of two governments met at Crowne Plaza Kathmandu-Soaltee at 3:15pm local time.

The Teesta water-sharing deal has remained frozen for three years due to objection from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Modi's party BJP’s relations with Mamata have soured much though they were in good terms once.

The bill on ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement had been tabled by the Congress-led government in Indian Parliament, but was not passed due to the BJP opposition. However, the party has softened its tone on the issue after coming to power.

Modi expressed his government's seriousness on the issues at a meeting with Hasina during the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September.

Hasina wanted to know from Modi on Wednesday how much progress had been made on the issues.

"Mr Modi has said it is progressing fast. He is strongly pursuing the issues to resolve them quickly," Shahidul Haque said.

Despite Bangladesh’s repeated urgings, the issues remain pending due to internal differences in India.

"A consensus is emerging on the matter and he (Modi) is hopeful that it (agreement) will be reached," said the foreign secretary.

Both leaders agreed to join forces in suppressing terrorism in the South Asia, he added.

After the meet with Modi, Hasina held talks with Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the same venue.

After Hasina's meeting with Modi Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali told reporters that both leaders had agreed to work together for common development by uniting their capabilities.

They also reiterated their commitment to joint efforts to fight terrorism.

Ali said the two leaders discussed the Indian investigators' visit to Bangladesh after the Oct 2 Burdwan blast in West Bengal.

Regarding LBA and Teesta deal, the Indian prime minister had said resolving these issues were in his government's active consideration, he added.

The foreign minister said Modi expressed hope over a report of a joint committee on LBA which may 'resolve' the issue.

Modi also invited a high-level delegation to attend the inaugural function of the second unit of Palatana Power Plant in Tripura.

The Indian prime minister expressed his wish again to visit Bangladesh, Ali said.