Inter Basin Water Transfer Link Project of India

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FM slams Indian river-link plan
'Scheme to spell disaster for entire region'
The Daily Star
Staff Correspondent
Sun. October 26, 2003

"If they proceed with the projects, it can spell disasters of unforeseeable proportions. It will adversely impact not only on Bangladesh, but on the region as a whole," he said while addressing a seminar on Bangladesh's foreign policy.

Referring to the mega river-link project that has already got support from Indian president and prime minister, Morshed said: "It could threaten the integrity of our river system, deny water to most areas of Bangladesh, bring irreparable damage to our ecology and intensify the arsenic contamination process."

It was first such speech by the foreign minister against the Indian plan that has come under fire in India and beyond, especially in the neibouring countries that share the common rivers.

Morshed said that the project could destroy the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, trigger widespread population displacement and cause immeasurable human miseries and sufferings.

The foreign minister's remarks came in the wake of an Indian Supreme Court judgement that directed the government to implement the project in 10 years.

He also referred to another Indian plan for the construction of a dam at Tipaimukh on the Barak river near the Bangladesh border.

"The implementation of this project together with a barrage, they are contemplating building at Phulerhat, will harm Bangladesh."

On a question what will be Bangladesh's position if India continues with the mammoth project, the foreign minister said, "We would try to resolve the problem through bilateral negotiations."

India can take any development project but it should follow the internationally approved set of rules and regulations while constructing dams or barrages on international rivers, he said.

Morshed said Dhaka took the issue with New Delhi expressing deep concern and requesting it not to proceed with the schemes.

"We are ready for consultation to ensure that a major catastrophe does not result from these projects. We are continually in touch with New Delhi and are trying to convince them that the river linking project would be harmful to both the countries."

Ambassador Mufleh R Osmany also spoke at the seminar held at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) marking the two years of the coalition in office.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Reaz Rahman and Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury were present.

Taking another question, the foreign minister categorically denied the presence of any hideout of insurgents in the Bangladesh territory.

Morshed also expressed concern over nuclearization of south Asia, saying it emerged as one of the most dangerous place on the earth today.

"Nuclearization of the two major countries in our neighbourhood can spell disaster for the rest of us."

Explaining the foreign policy, Morshed said the 'look east approach' was the main focus in the second year of the government.

A number of heads of government and high officials visited Bangladesh and relations with china, Thailand and Myanmar were cemented in line with the policy, he said.

Morshed said the 'look east approach' was not at the cost of relations with Western nations.

"They are our biggest trade partners and relations with them would deepen further in the future."

To another question, the foreign minister said Bangladesh would always stand by the people of Iraq in their quest for peace, stability and democracy.

He underscored the need for revitalisation of international organisations for a constructive role in promoting peace, stability, harmony and development.

Source: The Daily Star.

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