Bangladesh will raise the Teesta water sharing issue along with other issues of mutual interest during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s planned bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi next week.    “We have the issue of Teesta water sharing that the Prime Minister will certainly raise. We have other issues. We have 54 common rivers,” Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen told reporters on Sunday, adding that the Ganges water treaty is another issue which will expire soon. Read: Dhaka keen to avail regional opportunities for security, connectivity The Bangladesh-India Ganges water-sharing deal was signed in 1996 after long negotiations. The 30-year deal will expire by 2026. Responding to a question, the Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh and India had always discussed the Teesta issue at the highest political level. “We always kept it on the discussion agenda. This time too, we expect the Prime Minister will talk about it.” Bangladesh thinks the water-sharing issues between the two countries would be resolved through discussions as the two countries are “mentally agreed” to work on the basis of mutual understanding. Read: FM Momen discusses trade, investment issues with US Bangladesh Business Council leaders Recalling earlier discussions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s long pending request for concluding the interim agreement on the sharing of the waters of the Teesta River, the draft of which was finalized in 2011. During PM Hasina’s state visit to India in September last year, both leaders also directed the officials to work together to address issues such as pollution in rivers and to improve riverine environment and river navigability in respect of common rivers. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s participation at the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9-10 will add yet another feather to the ‘Golden Chapter’ in Dhaka-Delhi ties. Read: Positive momentum, energy fueling Bangladesh economy: USBBC President  The bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Hasina and her Indian counterpart Modi is likely to be held on September 8. Follow-up Discussion on Water Issues Earlier, the Foreign Secretary attended a follow-up discussion on Bangladesh’s 10 commitments made at the 2023 UN water Conference. Talking to reporters, he said they mainly discussed how to implement those commitments and how the development partners can help Bangladesh in this process. The Foreign Secretary said most of the commitments will be fulfilled by 2030 and many countries of the world made their commitments separately.  The UN 2023 Water Conference saw the adoption of the Water Action Agenda, representing voluntary commitments of nations and stakeholders to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets connected to water. The event brought together over 6,500 participants. By the close of the meeting, the Water Action Agenda had received approximately 700 commitments in the form of financial pledges, collaborative projects, and actions to protect the world’s most precious and irreplaceable resource. The Foreign Secretary said water is an important factor for livelihood and sustainability and they discussed issues related to coastal area, salinity problems, ground water level declining, plastic pollution, agriculture water wastages, rain water harvesting and ways to boost efficiency in water management. He said there are reasons to be worried after a few years and laid emphasis on international cooperation and resource mobilization. The UN says water is a dealmaker for the Sustainable Development Goals, and for the health and prosperity of people and the planet. But, the UN added, progress on water related goals and targets remains alarmingly off track, jeopardizing the entire sustainable development agenda.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are set to have “substantive discussions” on this (Saturday) afternoon with the focus on trade, connectivity and Covid-19 cooperation. The two South Asian countries, celebrating 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations, want to "progress together with others" in the region at a "faster pace". Neither Bangladesh nor the Indian side specifically mentioned the bilateral instruments to be signed after the talks but disaster management, trade and oceanography are likely to be areas of cooperation documents. The Indian Prime Minister said the next 25 years will be “crucial” for both the countries – Bangladesh and India. Modi said his ongoing visit will contribute to even stronger bilateral relations between the two countries. “We’re committed to further deepening and diversifying our relations.” “Connectivity is one of the issues that might get priority,” an official told UNB adding that Bangladesh wants enhanced connectivity with India and beyond. Prime Minister Hasina will have a one-to-one meeting with her Indian counterpart at the Prime Minister’s Office before having delegation-level talks at the PMO. Also read: Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition inaugurated in Bangladesh In a pre-arrival statement, Modi said he will be having "substantive discussions" with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following their very productive virtual meeting in December last year. They will jointly inaugurate some joint projects virtually and witness the signing of MoUs between the two countries after the talks. During the Hasina-Modi virtual Summit held in December last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted the need for early signing of an interim agreement for sharing of the Teesta waters, as agreed upon by both the governments in 2011. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts of the Government of India in that regard. Also read: Ideologies, forces behind inhuman acts remains active: Modi The two leaders, during the Summit, underscored the need for early conclusion of Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing of waters of six joint rivers, namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar. Modi is scheduled to visit Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex, before holding talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Haisna, to pay tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara. He is the first Indian dignitary to ever visit the place. The Indian Prime Minister said he will pay homage to Bangabandhu, alongside Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during the ongoing Mujib Borsho celebrations. He will place a wreath at the Complex, plant a sapling and sign visitors’ book there after visiting the Mausoleum. He will be offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the ancient Jashoreshwari Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the Puranic tradition. "I’m particularly looking forward to my interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri SriHarichandra Thakur ji disseminated his pious message," Modi said. Prime Minister Modi, as part of his two-day visit to Bangladesh, met senior political leaders from the 14-Party Alliance on Friday. Senior Awami Leaders Amir Hossain Amu, MP and Tofail Ahmed, MP; Syed Nazibul Maizvandary, MP, Rashed Khan Menon, MP, Hasanul Haq Inu, MP, Pirjadda Mostafa Amir Faisal Mozaddedi, Fazle Hossain Badsha, MP, Syed Tayabul Maizvandary, Shirin Akhter, MP and Sharif Nurul Ambia were among the 14-party leaders. Discussions centred on diverse issues of bilateral relations were held during the meeting to strengthen ties between the two nations. Modi also interacted with Opposition Leader in Parliament Raushan Ershad, MP, Ghulam Muhammed Quader, MP, Ziauddin Bablu and Ruhul Amin Howlader. The engagement involved discussions on a wide gamut of issues pertaining to the two countries' bilateral relations. Also read: Bangladesh proved them all wrong: Modi Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen met Prime Minister Narendra Modiand they both reflected on deepening the fraternal ties and strengthening the all-encompassing partnership based on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding that transcends a strategic partnership between the two countries. Modi met the community leaders, including representatives of minorities in Bangladesh, Freedom Fighters, friends of India and youth icons. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Dhaka on Friday at the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and together celebrated Mujib Borsho- the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and 50 years of Bangladesh’s Independence. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Ministers from her cabinet welcomed Prime Minister Modi. A salute of 19 guns and Guard of honour were accorded to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Soon after his arrival, Modi visited the National Martyrs’ Memorial and paid tributes to the martyrs Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. Prime Minister Modi also planted an Arjun sapling on the memorial premises and signed the visitor’s book in the monument. He wrote, "I pray that the eternal flame at Savar remains a lasting reminder of the noble victory of truth and courage over deceit and oppression.” Modi will meet President Abdul Hamid before leaving Dhaka by a special flight on Saturday evening. Foreign Minister Dr Momen will see him off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are likely to have a Summit meeting in Dhaka on March 27, taking forward the relations between the two countries with the celebratory year in focus.

The virtual Summit between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi began on Thursday morning as the two time-tested friends look for joint celebrations of mega events in 2021 and stronger collaboration in post-Covid era.

Bangladesh and India are likely to sign "four-five" bilateral documents during a virtual Summit between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday.