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ASIA, BANGLADESH, CHINA, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, EC, ELECTION COMMISSION, GOVERNANCE, INDIA, INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, MEXICO, NATIONAL SECURITY, NORTH AMERICA, SAID, SHEIKH HASINA, TEESTA, TELEGRAPH, TU, TUHIN SUBHRA MANDAL, YUN
Omar El-Sharif
Bangladesh’s Yunus Government to Include China in Teesta River Project, Threatening India’s Security
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, plans to involve China in the Teesta river project, heightening tensions with India. This has raised significant security concerns for India due to the river’s contentious history. Concurrently, Bangladesh is preparing for national elections in December amid political unrest.
The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, is reportedly planning to involve China in the controversial Teesta river project, signaling a significant diplomatic setback for India. The Teesta river, which originates in India’s Sikkim and flows into Bangladesh, has been a contentious issue between the two nations. Previous administrations, particularly under Sheikh Hasina, intentionally kept China out of discussions regarding this project.
However, the Yunus administration appears poised to integrate China into the proposed multipurpose initiative for the Teesta river. This development is viewed as a substantial threat to India’s internal security, according to experts. Tuhin Subhra Mandal, a river specialist based in Balurghat, highlighted that the current government is facilitating China’s involvement through public consultations.
Notably, the Chinese government has prepared a master plan aimed at conserving and managing the Teesta river, and discussions are ongoing between Chinese officials and Bangladeshi representatives, with a two-year timeframe set for plan completion. The Bangladeshi media reported that local input from communities along the riverbank would be considered in the planning process.
In addition to foreign policy changes, Bangladesh’s Election Commission has announced preparations for national elections set for December. Following recent social unrest, Prime Minister Yunus has committed to holding these elections, responding to demands from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah reaffirmed the progress being made toward facilitating this electoral process.
The potential inclusion of China in the Teesta river project by Bangladesh’s Yunus government marks a significant shift in diplomatic relations, raising alarms regarding India’s security concerns. As the December elections approach, the political landscape in Bangladesh is also shifting, indicating a complex interplay between domestic and foreign policy decisions.
Original Source: www.india.com
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