Amid Dhaka's apparently deepening relations with Beijing on a number of fronts, India on Friday served a terse reminder that it is keenly observing all such developments, and would act accordingly if required.
"We closely follow all such developments in our neighborhood and take appropriate measures as required," shot off Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), when a reporter flagged the issue of the reported defence purchase by Dhaka from Beijing, during the MEA’s weekly press briefing.
Responding to a question on China’s involvement in the Teesta project, the MEA spokesperson said India's development assistance for projects in Bangladesh is based on a mutually agreed roadmap, which is regularly reviewed.
"Our views on the Teesta river project have been previously conveyed to the Bangladesh side. We will factor all related developments into our overall approach to the Teesta issue," Jaiswal said.
China said the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) was highlighted during the visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as the livelihoods of Bangladeshi people in the north of the country are involved. At the same time the Chinese are keen to point out the project serves only Bangladeshi, not Chinese, interests.
"Teesta is a Bangladesh project. It's your project," Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen told a press conference in Dhaka on Thursday, that was organised by his embassy as a debriefing on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s China visit.
The envoy said the Teesta project has been one of the most closely watched issues.
“During the visit, the Prime Minister met with Chinese Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on water resources cooperation," he said.
Regarding the proposed China-Bangladesh-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the MEA spokesperson said they closely monitor all such issues.
"Whenever necessary, we take whatever appropriate steps are required in response to these developments," he said.
China is determined to build an economic corridor with Bangladesh and Myanmar, stressing that the game does not end here and that it remains open to other countries joining.
“This cooperation is not the end of the game. We are open, and we welcome other countries if they are ready (to join). But it is up to them to decide whether they want to be part of it or whether they prefer to wait and see. China is determined to work with Bangladesh and Myanmar to build the economic corridor,” Ambassador Yao said while responding to a question during a media briefing at the Embassy of China on Thursday.
He said China firmly supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and respects the choice of the Bangladeshi people for an independent development path suited to their national conditions.
“China reaffirmed its policy of good-neighborliness toward all the people of Bangladesh,” he said while briefing the media at the Embassy.
Responding to a question, Ambassador Yao said they fully understand the situation currently faced by Bangladesh, and the message was conveyed very clearly to Bangladesh that China supports Bangladesh in opposing any foreign intervention.
He also said China will never intervene in the internal affairs of any country.