Mumbai, Nov.8 (ANI): A report prepared by an India-based global think tank has called for the signing of the Teesta River Agreement on the basis of equitable sharing of water between Bangladesh and India, a Joint Investment Plan (JIP) for projects to augment water flow in dry months in the Teesta Basin, and a revamping of the Bangladesh India Joint Rivers Commission.
According to the Strategic Foresight Group (SFG), a global think tank engaged in crafting new policies on global security, global policy strategies and water conflict studies, the new formula, if implemented, will provide hope for 250 million people in Bangladesh and West Bengal.
In its report titled "Rivers of Peace: Restructuring India Bangladesh Relations", the SFG believes the time is right for signing the water sharing agreement on Teesta along with other components of its Blue Peace formula, despite the apparent uncertainty created by elections in both countries.
Dr. Sundeep Waslekar, President of SFG, said: "The difference between any two approaches for water sharing can be a maximum of 10 billion cubic meters (BCM) which is equal to one per cent of the total annual water flow from India to Bangladesh. Since the two countries have friendly relations, it is unfair to hold back tremendous advantages that can accrue to 250 million people of Bangladesh and West Bengal."
Ilmas Futehally, SFG's Executive Director, added: "As soon as the Teesta is signed, it will open way for a Joint Investment Plan for the Teesta Basin to augment water flow in the lean period, store flood water during summer for retrieval in dry months, introduce drought resistant crops, and transform economy of the northern districts of West Bengal and north-western districts of Bangladesh."
She said that besides the Teesta Agreement and the Joint Investment Plan, a proposal to revamp the Bangladesh India Joint Rivers Commission created a three-dimensional Blue Peace framework.
Dr. Waslekar further said: "The current Joint Rivers Commission is neither Joint nor a Commission. In its name, there are two parallel national committees with competing national views on managing trans-boundary Rivers. As a result, we end up negotiating a separate river treaty independent of the Commission. We need a genuine joint institution with a bi-national technical staff, led by a charismatic leader from either country on a rotating basis and engaged in holistic, collaborative and sustainable management of all shared rivers. It should also provide for a well-defined arbitration mechanism."
The report is a result of hydrological, legal, economic and political research. It particularly gained from India Bangladesh Roundtable in Mumbai in July 2013, which was attended by leaders of main political parties of both countries.
The report has been presented to the Prime Minister's Offices of both India and Bangladesh.
A high level SFG delegation is visiting Dhaka next week for consultations with key stakeholders from the government and opposition parties in Bangladesh.
Similar consultations with stakeholders in New Delhi and Kolkata will follow.
SFG has worked with or on 50 countries from four continents since its inception in 2002 in Mumbai. (ANI)
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