Journalists name for decision of Teesta water-sharing dispute to spice up Indo-Bangladesh ties

Journalists from India and Bangladesh have urged the governments of each nations to work in direction of a peaceable decision of the Teesta water-sharing dispute.

Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury attends the occasion in Dhaka.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Journalists from India and Bangladesh on Thursday pledged their help to each governments for a peaceable decision of the Teesta water-sharing dispute. At an occasion held in Dhaka, the Speaker of the Jatiyo Sangsad, the Bangladesh Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury highlighted the significance of journalists within the growth of Bangladesh-India relations. She mentioned the 2 international locations have confronted many challenges prior to now years, together with maritime and land demarcation, however there’s loads of scope for additional enchancment of bilateral ties.

Chowdhury was talking on the opening ceremony of a seminar titled ‘Role of Bangladesh-India Relations: Challenges and Prospects’ organised on the National Press Club.

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Representatives of journalists’ our bodies from the 2 international locations participated within the occasion. They reiterated that the media of each nations will work collectively to resolve the problems of India and Bangladesh.

Chowdhury mentioned the 2 international locations have signed a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding on social, financial, maritime, and environmental cooperation in current instances. “The media can play a role in promoting activities that deepen bilateral relations. The relationship between the two countries is dependent on problem resolution, prospects, economy, art, literature, and culture.”

‘SCRIBES CAN STRENGTHEN CULTURAL TIES’

Geetartha Pathak, President of the Indian Journalists’ Union, who attended the occasion in Dhaka, mentioned: “The people of the two countries have a lot in common. Journalists from both countries need to play a role to take strengthening cultural and political ties. Mass media can solve many problems with great initiatives. Governments of both countries can show the way.”

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Highlighting the rationale of the Teesta settlement, Pathak mentioned that Bangladesh is essentially the most affected by issues associated to water among the many international locations on this area. Larger international locations want to return ahead to resolve such points, together with these pertaining to water sharing.”

He additionally proposed a hassle-free visa processing system for journalists of the 2 international locations.

TEESTA ISSUE ON AGENDA

Editor of Bangladeshi every day Daily Star, Mahfuz Anam, mentioned: “Let us not forget India’s role in our Liberation War. The relationship between our two countries should be with the people. Media has an important role to play here.”

“Regional peace depends on India’s stability. Right now our big problem is the Teesta water sharing and this needs to be resolved at the earliest,” he added.

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Former president of the Press Club of India Gautam Lahiri, who participated within the dialogue, mentioned that because the Bangladesh Liberation War, media employees have been working to enhance the relations between the 2 international locations. “We will work together to solve problems of both countries in the future,” he mentioned. He additionally mentioned that the Government of India ought to make clear its stand on the Teesta concern.

The Teesta water-sharing dispute is a contentious concern between India and Bangladesh. The Teesta is a tributary of Brahmaputra, which is known as Jamuna in Bangladesh. It originates from Lhamo lake in Sikkim. Bangladesh needs an equitable distribution of Teesta water with India on the strains of the Ganga Water Treaty of 1996. However, the problem hangs within the steadiness.

Imtiaz Ahmed, a professor at Dhaka University, mentioned, “India helped us a lot during the War of Independence. Many journalists also were part of this war. For this, our gratitude to India will remain forever. Now is the golden time for journalists from both countries to work together to resolve all problems.”

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Edited By:

Abhishek Chakraborty

Published On:

Oct 20, 2022