Teesta unlikely to get priority

Signing of an interim agreement on sharing of Teesta River waters is unlikely go get prominence in the talks between Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her India counterpart Narendra Modi at Shantiniketan of West Bengal on Friday. 
Foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali avoided on Wednesday a direct reply to a question if there was any progress in signing an agreement on sharing Teesta River waters.
‘The matter would be disclosed at an appropriate time…There is nothing more to say,’ he said at a press conference at the foreign ministry on the visit. 
Hasina would fly for Kolkata on Friday on a two-day official visit to attend the convocation of Visva-Bharati University and the opening of Bangladesh Bhavan on the campus at Shantiniketan in West Bengal.
The visit would take place at the invitation of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, the foreign minister said.
Modi and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee would also attend the function scheduled for Friday.
The two prime ministers would also hold a meeting at Shantiniketan when they are expected to discuss bilateral and other important matters, said Mahmood Ali.
Replying to a question if Hasina would appraise Modi about political situation in Bangladesh keeping the upcoming general elections in consideration, Ali replied, ‘Sure, if Mr Modi asks her about it, why not. We’re friendly neighbours.’ 
Asked about the Indian position on Rohingya issues with Myanmar, he said that the Indian authorities had been engaged in infrastructure development, including construction of houses, health centres and primary schools and facilitating repatriation of Rohingyas. ‘There is always room for improvement [of political positions],’ he added. 
The Bangladesh government provided 25 crore Indian Rupee for the construction of the Bangladesh Bhavan at Visva-Bharati in West Bengal.
Hasina would also travel to Asansol of West Bengal to receive an honorary doctorate degree from Kazi Nazrul University on Saturday.
Water resources minister Anwar Hossain was not included, till Wednesday afternoon, in the prime minister’s entourage for the West Bengal visit. Foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor and political, economic, energy and international affairs of the prime minister and several secretaries would accompany her in the trip.
Hasina is scheduled for Saturday to return home.
State minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam and foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque were present at the press conference. 

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net