India, Bangladesh to expand cooperation across river issues

New Delhi: India and Bangladesh have agreed to expand cooperation across the entire gamut of water resources issues including framework for sharing of river waters, mitigation of pollution, river bank protection, flood management, basin management, according to an official statement on Wednesday.

The India-Bangladesh Water Resources Secretary level meeting under the framework of the Joint Rivers Commission took place on March 16 here.

The Indian delegation was led by Pankaj Kumar, Secretary (Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation). The Bangladesh delegation was led by Kabir Bin Anwar, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources.

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Noting that India and Bangladesh share 54 common rivers which directly impact the livelihood of people in the two countries, both sides commended the close cooperation that exists between them in the matter.

“Both sides agreed to expand cooperation across entire gamut of water resources issues including framework for sharing of river waters, mitigation of pollution, river bank protection, flood management, basin management, etc.,” the statement said.

A Joint Technical Working Group will provide inputs on the matter.

The discussions were substantive and held in a cordial atmosphere, it added.

Both sides also agreed to schedule the next secretary-level meeting in Dhaka on mutually convenient dates.