China Keeping Eye On Sheikh Hasina's India Visit
- By Thetripurapost Web Desk, New Delhi
- Jun 22, 2024
- 171
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on a two-day visit on Friday. This is Sheikh Hasina's second visit to New Delhi within 15 days. Earlier, she had come to attend PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony on June 9.
Sheikh Hasina's current visit is being seen as an attempt to strike a balance between China and India, as she is also scheduled to visit China next month.
PM Modi and Hasina are scheduled to hold talks on Saturday, during which several agreements are expected to be signed between the two sides for cooperation in various fields. There may be talks between the two on rail, energy, connectivity and other important issues.
However, experts say that during this time there may also be talks on the master plan of Teesta water sharing. Teesta is an important issue between the two countries.
Recently, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a statement in her country's parliament about China giving loan for the construction of Teesta Master Plan. This project was pending for a long time, but now China has started showing interest in it again. During the visit of India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra to Bangladesh in May, India had offered help in building a dam on the Teesta river. In such a situation, before taking action on China's proposal, she will definitely expect clarity from India.
Former advisor to the Bangladeshi PM and Awami League leader Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury told Sputnik that from Bangladesh's side, the Teesta water sharing agreement, cross-border connectivity, security situation in Myanmar as well as economic and trade issues will be on top of the agenda.
An Indian and Bangladeshi official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Modi and Hasina will discuss how the two countries will share the water of the 414-km-long Teesta river. However, in 2014, India and Bangladesh came close to resolving the Teesta issue but things did not work out because of Mamata Banerjee.
Sheikh Hasina is under pressure in Bangladesh regarding the Teesta water agreement. The opposition in Bangladesh is propagating that the Teesta issue is pending because of India. Apart from this, Islamic parties are also raising their heads in Bangladesh.
The economy of Bangladesh is also going through a setback at this time, due to which the anger of the people has increased against the government. Hasina's first attempt at this time will be to improve the economic condition of the country.
China is already waiting to take advantage of this situation. China tries to increase its influence on countries by giving loans. Along with increasing its influence in Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives, China is continuously making its presence felt all around India. In such a situation, India will have to adopt a proactive approach to oust China from Bangladesh on the issue of Teesta