Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday hoped India and Bangladesh would soon clinch the deal on the sharing of Teesta waters, which would radically transform the relationship of the two countries. The public and private sector units of the two countries signed as many as 13 accords worth billions of dollars, taking the number of agreements inked during her four-day trip to 35.

Speaking at an event organised by the India Foundation, Sheikh Hasina noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reiterated to her his government’s resolve to conclude the Teesta treaty at the earliest. “Once that happens, the face of Indo-Bangla relations would undergo another transformation,” she added.

She said she firmly believed that the common water resources of the two countries must act as a uniting force.

‘’Comprehensive, basin wise solution to water sharing of all common rivers holds key to our common future.’’

It is understood that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had given some proposals to Sheikh Hasina to break the stalemate over the Teesta issue, which the Bangladesh PM promised to study.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh had comprehensively addressed India’s security concerns, which has helped in trust-building between the two countries. She noted that the two countries had also amicably settled their land and maritime boundary dispute.

She also hailed the whole-hearted support of the government and the people of India in Bangladesh’s War of Liberation in 1971. Bangladesh Parliament had recently adopted a unanimous resolution declaring March 25 as ‘Genocide Day’ in remembrance of Pakistani atrocities and this ‘genocide’ must be recognised as such by the international community. PM Modi, she said, had promised to remain with Bangladesh in its efforts in this direction.

her last engagement while addressing leaders of India’s apex business of chambers, she said Bangladesh was looking to enhance trade with India, widen footprint of ‘Border Haats’ and open up trade routes which were closed during the 1965 war.

called upon the Indian industrial houses to invest in Bangladesh, especially in infrastructure projects, power and energy, food and agro-processing, manufacturing, transport and other such sectors. The 13 accords signed today are in areas like power, oil and gas, container transportation, veterinary sciences, education and health.