BNP will be unhappy if Teesta water-sharing deal not signed during Modi’s visit: Noman

The BNP will “be unhappy” if Teesta water-sharing deal is not signed during the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Bangladesh, the party’s Vice Chairman Abdullah Al Noman has said

Speaking at a programme to mark the BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s death anniversary held at the National Press Club on Monday, Noman said his party was hopeful that the much awaited Teesta water-sharing deal would be signed during Modi’s visit.

“If it materializes we will not hesitate to congratulate the government. And if the deal is not signed then we will criticise it, we will speak against it.”

Modi is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka On Jun 6 for a two-day visit.

Indian foreign ministry officials said that at least twelve agreements related to roads, railways, waterways, business, security, infrastructure and communication would be signed during the visit.

India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, however, made it clear that Teesta water-sharing deal would not be signed during the visit. 

The BNP vice chairman said, “Support or opposing Teesta does not make us pro or anti-India. We are asking for creation of infrastructure to ease transit facilities between the countries.

“We are saying that there should be trade and business with the neighbours.”

The BNP leader, however, hoped that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee would eventually contribute positively to the Teesta water-sharing deal.