China Responds to India's Concerns Over Teesta Project
Guo Jiakun. Photo: Reuters
China has responded to India's concerns over the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, saying Bangladesh-China cooperation is not directed at any third party and should remain free from external interference.
Responding to a question about India's concerns during a regular briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, "I would like to stress that China-Bangladesh cooperation does not target any third party and should be free from third-party influence."
Guo said the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project is an important public welfare project for Bangladesh and that China is ready to provide maximum support for its implementation.
He added that China is prepared to further strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Bangladesh and expand cooperation in areas including trade, water resources management, and public welfare.
India has expressed concern over the Dhaka-Beijing initiative because the Teesta basin lies close to the country's northeastern region.
Bangladesh and China have reached an understanding on expanding cooperation in the management of the Teesta and other rivers in Bangladesh. As a result, any progress related to the Teesta project is expected to remain under close scrutiny from India.
In January this year, the Bangladesh Water Development Board and PowerChina, a Chinese state-owned company, signed a new agreement extending the memorandum of understanding on the Teesta project.
India's concerns stem largely from the strategic location of the Teesta River near the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the ‘Chicken's Neck’. The corridor serves as the narrow land link connecting India's northeastern states with the rest of the country.
Source: NDTV (adapted)
