'China Ready, But Want India': Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina On $1 Billion River Development Project Stalled By Bengal

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her prioty towards India for undertaking a $1 billion river development project according to a report from The Economic Times.

This river development project refers to the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration initiative, a Dhaka-led effort to enhance the management of the river’s waters.

The project focuses on developing the river basin spanning 414 km (257.25 miles) of the Teesta River, which flows from India into Bangladesh.

Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka, PM Hasina stated, "China is ready but I want India to do the project."

This initiative featured prominently in discussions during Hasina’s recent visit to New Delhi in June, underscoring the shared water resources between the two countries originating from the Himalayas and flowing into the Bay of Bengal.

Although an agreement on water sharing was reached in 2011, it was stalled due to objections from the Indian state of West Bengal, through which the river passes before entering Bangladesh. With India delaying resolution, China proposed its own plan.

Earlier this year, India responded with its offer, citing security concerns about Chinese involvement near its borders.

“China has made an offer to us, they did a feasibility study. India has also made an offer, and will do a feasibility study,” Hasina explained, “But I would give greater priority to this being done by India because India has held up the Teesta’s waters.”