July 16, 2024
2 mins read

Hasina prefers India over China in $1b Teesta project

Hasina’s recent visit to China, from July 8-10, 2024, yielded limited results despite significant media hype. The meeting between Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping lasted only 30 minutes, indicating a lack of substantive engagement…reports Asian Lite News

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her preference for India to undertake a $1 billion river development project, aiming to address New Delhi’s security concerns. “China is ready, but I want India to do the project,” Hasina stated at a Dhaka press conference on Sunday.

The Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration project, aimed at better managing the river’s waters, has attracted interest from both China and India, as they compete for influence in Bangladesh. The 414 km (257.25 miles) long Teesta River flows from India into Bangladesh, and its development was a key topic during Hasina’s June visit to New Delhi.

A 2011 agreement on sharing the river’s water stalled due to objections from West Bengal, the Indian state through which the river flows before entering Bangladesh. With India slow to resolve the issue, China offered its proposal, prompting India to counter with its own offer amid security concerns over Chinese engineers working near its borders.

“China conducted a feasibility study and made an offer. India also made an offer and will do a feasibility study,” Hasina said, adding, “But I prioritize India’s involvement because they have controlled the Teesta’s waters.”

Meanwhile, Hasina’s recent visit to China, from July 8-10, 2024, yielded limited results despite significant media hype. The meeting between Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping lasted only 30 minutes, indicating a lack of substantive engagement.

Hasina did not receive high-level protocol treatment, with no significant Chinese officials visiting her. The main political interaction was with Wang Huning, the fourth-ranking official in the Chinese Communist Party.

The visit saw no substantial progress on economic issues. The much-anticipated Summit on Trade, Business, and Investment was chaired by a lower-level Chinese bureaucrat. No major agreements or MoUs were signed, with most being renewals or minor agreements, such as the Protocol of Phyto-sanitary requirements for exporting fresh mangoes from Bangladesh to China.

Despite seeking improvements in bilateral trade, Bangladesh’s trade imbalance with China remains significant, with Chinese exports to Bangladesh vastly outstripping Bangladeshi exports. Talks for a concessional loan of USD 5 billion also faltered, and the much-hyped potential for USD 20 billion in grants and loans was largely seen as creating unnecessary media buzz. The visit, heavily promoted by the Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka, ultimately lacked tangible benefits for Bangladesh.

ALSO READ-Rising calls for recognition of 1971 Bangladesh genocide

Previous Story

Modi to attend UNGA high-level meet in September

Next Story

CCP leaders gather to chart course amid economic slowdown

Latest from -Top News

UNSC Convenes Over India-Pak Crisis

Pakistan is currently an elected member of the Council and will participate in the meeting….reports Asian Lite News The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will be holding a closed-door meeting on Monday

SYRIA RAIDS: Arab League Slams Israel

The Arab League condemned the airstrikes and called on the international community and the United Nations to confront what it described as “repeated violations committed by Israel against the Syrian state.” The

Singapore’s Ruling Party Achieves Landslide Victory

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, whose party won the election, thanked supporters.,..reports Asian Lite News Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) won 87 of the 97 seats in Parliament in Saturday’s general election,

Jaishankar, Lavrov Discuss Pahalgam Terror Attack

Both the Ministers discussed issues of Russian-Indian cooperation and the aggravation of India-Pakistan relations following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke to the Russian Foreign Minister

Rajnath Singh to skip Russia visit

The decision comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir…reports Asian Lite News Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will not likely attend Russia’s
Go toTop

Don't Miss

G20 in J&K will expose lies peddled by Pak, China

A successful G20-related event in Kashmir may have a ripple

Property investors maybe turning to India amid slump in China

Although China is now taking measures to revive its property