INDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS

Prime Minister's Statement on Sharing of Ganga Waters,

Lok Sabha, 12 December, 1996

I am honoured to state that I and the Bangladesh Prime Minister have today signed a new Treaty on the sharing of the Ganga Waters. We are confident this Treaty would be a landmark in our bilateral relations. The Treaty protects the interests of India and at the same time helps Bangladesh by providing a share of the Ganga waters to that country.

According to the Treaty, the sharing of Ganga Waters at Farakka between India and Bangladesh will be on the basis of a formula. The key merit of this formula is that it shares available waters on a basis which is fair and equitable. The formula also takes into account the basic requirements and minimum needs of both sides. Therefore, during the critical period within the lean season i.e. from March 1 to May 10; India and Bangladesh each shall receive a guaranteed flow of 35,000 cusecs of water in an alternating sequence of thee 10-day periods each. This is aimed at meeting the fundamental requirements of both our countries through a just and reasonable sharing of the burden of shortage. The Treaty also has the merit of being a long term arrangement combined with scope for reviews at shorter intervals to study the impact of the sharing formula and to make needed adjustments. While the Treaty will be valid for 30 years and renewable on mutual consent, there is a provision of mandatory reviews at the end of 5 years and even earlier after 2 years with provisions for adjustments as required. Pending a fresh understanding after the review stage, Bangladesh would continue to receive 90% of its share in accordance with the new formula. We would thus avoid a situation where there is no agreement on the sharing of the Ganga waters between India and Bangladesh.

The signing of the Treaty between India and Bangladesh is a fitting tribute to the special quality of our relations. Indo-Bangladesh cooperation is based on a history of shared sacrifices, sanctified with the blood of the martyrs who laid down their lives in 1971. It is entirely appropriate that this Treaty comes on the even of the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh which was a momentous landmark in the history of our continent. With the signing of this Treaty, we expect to usher in a new era in Indo-Bangladesh relations. An entirely new phase of cooperation. We have already taken initiatives by extending tariff concessions to Bangladesh on a range of products of export interest to them. We propose to extend commercial credits of Rs. 100 crores to enhance trade relations further. We are working together with Bangladesh to ensure appropriate development and security in our entire eastern region.

Both India and Bangladesh cooperate very extensively in regional for a such as SAARC and it shall  be our endeavour to take this cooperation forward so that a new and a more constructive framework of relationships can be built up in our sub-continent to the mutual benefit of the people of all countries.

The visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister is an event of historic significance.

Bangladesh: Demands of Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad Central Executive Committee Meeting, 15 November, 1996

The Awami League, the main political force in the Liberation war has won a majority. Despite this fundamentalist communal forces are still active. Although this election has ensured the path of democracy, equal rights, and the rule of law, the future does not look very bright. The Government and the ruling party will hesitate to take any step against the existing communal constitutional system, while continuing to use religiosity as a political tactic. With regard to equal rights, this government will not adopt a clear-cut plan of action. The Meeting decides to extend its cooperation in political, social and civic activities, while simultaneously putting pressure on the government in solving the problems of the minorities through dialogue as well as through an issue-based campaign.

The following demands will be placed before the government:-

(a)    Readoption of the Constitution of 1972.

(b)   Establishment of a "Parliamentary Minorities Rights Commission" with the aim of ascertaining the reasons for minorities leaving the country.

(c)    Formation of a "Minorities Right Implementation Council" at government level for rapid solution of various problems faced by the minorities.

(d)   Representation of minorities in all representative organisations including the Parliament on the basis of joint electorate. Reservation of seats for eligible minority candidates in education and employment.

(e)    Promulgation of Ordinance on the pattern of the Wakf Ordinance to safeguard religious places and Repeal of Vested (Enemy) Property Act.

(f)    Reconstruction of religious institutions destroyed or damaged in communal riots.

The Committee demands appointment of three Cabinet Ministers and three Deputy Ministers from the minorities.

The Committee will encourage candidates from the minority communities to contest forthcoming local government elections and appeals to the religious minorities to vote in favour of candidates who favour democracy.