Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promises early solution to Teesta

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to find an 'early solution ' to the Teesta water sharing problem.

With West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and PM Hasina by his side, Modi told a media briefing after the signing of several agreements and MoUs that the sharing of waters of common rivers like the Teesta was a 'top priority' for his government.

"Along with our shared land boundaries are our shared rivers. They sustain our peoples and their livelihoods. And, the one that has attracted the greatest attention is the Teesta. This is important for India, for Bangladesh and for India-Bangladesh relationship," said Modi.

Pointing to Mamata Banerjee without mentioning her opposition to the Teesta deal, Modi said: "Her feeling for Bangladesh is as warm as mine."

Then he turned to PM Hasina and said: "It is only your government and mine who can find a solution to the Teesta problem."

He did not refer to any time frame for the Teesta solution, but the emphasis on 'my government -and-yours' would mean Modi is considering a deal on this vexed issue before elections in India and Bangladesh in 2019.

Hasina put great emphasis on finding a solution to only Teesta, but for sharing the waters of other common rivers.

She sought Indian support for the proposed Ganges Barrage in Bangladesh and for working out a comprehensive basin management plan for the common rivers.

An agreement on Teesta was not expected during the current visit by PM Hasina, but officials in the Modi government are working closely with West Bengal officials to find common ground to get Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to agree to the deal that was first worked out during former PM Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka.

Hasina also said she had brought up in her one-on-one with Modi ways to reduce Bangladesh's trade deficit with India and the imposition of anti-dumping duty imposed on Bangladesh jute products imported to India.

Modi had promised to look into the issues in the spirit of growing friendship.