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Teesta failure unfortunate

Manmohan vows to find out a viable formula, heads home

Diplomatic Correspondent
India will continue to work hard to find a viable formula for sharing the water of Teesta river with Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in Dhaka yesterday, a day after a deal collapsed hours before it was due to be signed by the two countries.
"Both sides worked very hard to arrive at a solution that would be acceptable to all. Unfortunately these efforts did not meet their success within the time available," Manmohan said in a speech at Dhaka University before wrapping his two-day official visit to Bangladesh.
On the eve of Manmohan's visit both
Indian and Bangladesh officials confirmed that they finalised a deal for signing during his tour. Both sides reportedly agreed to a 50-50 share of the water of the river that originates in the Indian state of Sikkim and runs through Paschimbanga and Bangladesh.
The proposed Teesta pact fizzled out after Paschimbanga's firebrand Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee threw it out saying the sharing formula accepted by the Indian central government harms her state's interests.
She also pulled out from Manmohan's Dhaka entourage causing further embarrassment to him. Her dramatic protest
proved a big blow also to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who wanted India to reciprocate her bold steps in addressing India's security concerns and its long-time request for transit through Bangladesh.
The Teesta crash brought down with it two other key deals: sharing the Feni river water and letting India use Chittagong and Mongla seaports to transport goods through Bangladesh territory.
Amid criticisms both in India and Bangladesh, Manmohan said, "I was hopeful that during this visit we would be able to come to an agreement on the sharing of the waters oftheTeesta."
It is unclear how long it will take for the two countries to reach a new agreement on Teesta. However, Manmohan's remarks suggest that fresh negotiations will be needed to reach an agreement and Mamata's role will be crucial in making it successful.
Manmohan arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday becoming the first Indian head of government to visit Bangladeshin 12years.
He said he asked his country's officials "to intensify their efforts towards finding a viable formula which does not cause undue distress to all those, in India or in Bangladesh, who are dependent on the flows of
the river".
Saying that water is a sensitive issue he, however, hoped that the two countries can agree on "cooperative arrangements based on the principles of equity, fair play, and no harm to either party".
He said Ganga Water Treaty signed in 1996 is one such example which has stood the test of time.
On Bangladesh's concern about Tipaimukh Dam project in India, he said, "I wish to make a public statement and make it clear that India will not take steps that will adversely affect Bangladesh."
"India will not, I repeat and assure you, India will not take steps that will adversely affect Bangladesh," he said.
In his 27-minute speech on "India, Bangladesh, and South Asia", Manmohan touched on border problems, extremism, tenets of Islam, and civil society.
He said both India and Bangladesh are vulnerable to the forces of extremism and terrorism, which threaten state systems, and impede social and economic progress.
"It is of paramount importance that we work together to confront this challenge."
Bangladesh, he said, has firmly rejected extremist ideas and achieved success as an open, moderate, and
vibrant society and democracy.
About border-related violence he said the two countries are working to reduce such incidents.
He called for greater cooperation between the border forces to ensure that illegal trans-border activities do not cast any shadow on bilateral relations.
Manmohan said India and Bangladesh have set up a joint Empowered Group to reduce travel times for passengers on the Maitree Expreess between Dhaka and Kolkata.
Speaking about commonality between the two countries, he said both the countries have been deeply influenced by the tenets of Islam, which teaches peace, compassion, and virtuous living.
"For centuries, our people have lived and worshipped together in harmony. Even today thousands of Indians and Bangladeshis from all creeds go to seek solace at the dargah in Ajmer Sharif," he said.
Dhaka University Vice-chancellor ProfAAMS Arefin Siddique, and Pro-vice-chancellor Prof Harun-or-Rashid also spoke on the occasion, which was largely attended by ministers, MPs, educationists, diplomats, members of the civil society, teachers, and students.