Bangladesh may raise the issue of Ganga Barrage during the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, according to officials concerned.
The summit meeting is scheduled to be held virtually on December 17.
Bangladesh may also ask India to expedite the formation of the Joint Technical Committee comprising 10 members from each side to review the design of the proposed Ganga-Padma barrage.
India has recently raised its reservations about the design of the barrage. The proposed JTC will determine the mode of finance for the bridge.
According to official familiar with the process, Bangladesh is planning to secure a commitment from the Indian leadership to renew the Ganges Water-sharing Treaty, which is set to expire in 2026.
About the line of credit (LoC) implementation, Bangladesh will present the sorry state of the disbursement of the four LoCs amounting US$7.8 billion and urge India to take necessary steps to expedite the disbursement process. The present disbursement rate is only 8.0 per cent, sources concerned said.
Bangladesh may also raise India’s National Register of Citizens (NRC) issue to express its concern that it could result in infiltration of people into Bangladesh from India.
The sources said Bangladesh will seek support from India to promote Khan Jahan Ali airport in Khulna as a regional hub and to facilitate air connectivity between Bhutan and Bangladesh through Syedpur airport.
About the proposed Teesta water-sharing deal, Bangladesh may remind India of New Delhi’s pledge made decades ago and call for quick signing of the deal.
Bangladesh may also propose enhanced rail connectivity, and bus services to districts such as Rajshai and Khulna.
And reduction of trade imbalance will also be a major agenda, an official concerned told The Financial Express.
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