DHAKA: Bangladesh is preparing to start discussions with India regarding the sharing of water from transboundary rivers. This announcement was made by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an adviser to the interim government, during a seminar focused on the fair allocation of water resources.

In 2011, a deal on water sharing for the Teesta River was expected to be signed during the visit of then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not support the agreement due to concerns over water scarcity in her state.

At the seminar titled "Bangladesh's Fair Share of Water in Shared Rivers," Rizwana stated that the upcoming negotiations will consider public opinion, and the results will be communicated to the citizens. She acknowledged the complexity of international water sharing but emphasized the importance of exchanging essential information without it being politicized.

Rizwana pointed out that sharing data on rainfall and river infrastructure can help prevent damage to lives and property. She also mentioned that addressing such issues in an international court requires both countries to participate jointly rather than unilaterally.

"Sharing rainfall data is a humanitarian issue. We must provide necessary information to save lives. Bangladesh's claims will be presented clearly and assertively," she explained.

The adviser also highlighted the need to protect the internal rivers of Bangladesh, referring to them as vital entities that require collective effort to preserve.

Earlier this month, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed the interim government’s commitment to finding solutions for the longstanding Teesta water-sharing treaty. He noted that avoiding the issue was unproductive and stressed the importance of reaching an agreement, even if it wasn't entirely satisfactory.

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