New Delhi invites Dhaka’s stake in dams on common rivers

[Dillinger]

Exactly the same objections that Bangladesh has raised with India the Indians have raised with the Chinese. Are the Indians hypocrites now? .......

Sir, didn't I say that each country has its own interests and absent cooperation each country will take steps that it finds necessary. China is doing that and so is India- the only difference is that India has considered it beneficial to take Bangladesh on-board. The pursuit of national interests cannot be viewed with such a narrow and myopic vision, hypocrisy doesn't even come into the picture here- India raised objections about Chinese projects and China saw it fit to simply provide lip service but the Indo-Bangla situation is different- India is building a far larger no. of dams in the north-east than just the three-four being built by China and thus the resultant impact on the lower riparian state may be far greater so we've made this offer.

 

[BanglaBhoot]

Sir, didn't I say that each country has its own interests and absent cooperation each country will take steps that it finds necessary. China is doing that and so is India- the only difference is that India has considered it beneficial to take Bangladesh on-board. The pursuit of national interests cannot be viewed with such a narrow and myopic vision, hypocrisy doesn't even come into the picture here- India raised objections about Chinese projects and China saw it fit to simply provide lip service but the Indo-Bangla situation is different- India is building a far larger no. of dams in the north-east than just the three-four being built by China and thus the resultant impact on the lower riparian state may be far greater so we've made this offer.

The only reason the Indians are taking us on board is because of budgetary constraints and so that part of the agreement includes the passing of transmission lines through Bangladesh to eastern India. Indians just pretend its for Bangladesh's benefit but it has nothing to do with that. It is solely in India's interest. Bangladesh has nothing to gain. Indians are employing a devious, sly and duplicitous policy which is in their nature ......

 

[Mercenary]

The only reason the Indians are taking us on board is because of budgetary constraints and so that part of the agreement includes the passing of transmission lines through Bangladesh to eastern India. Indians just pretend its for Bangladesh's benefit but it has nothing to do with that. It is solely in India's interest. Bangladesh has nothing to gain. Indians are employing a devious, sly and duplicitous policy which is in their nature ......

hehe

 

[Dillinger]

The only reason the Indians are taking us on board is because of budgetary constraints and so that part of the agreement includes the passing of transmission lines through Bangladesh to eastern India. Indians just pretend its for Bangladesh's benefit but it has nothing to do with that. It is solely in India's interest. Bangladesh has nothing to gain. Indians are employing a devious, sly and duplicitous policy which is in their nature ......

Our infrastructure projects with regard to dams/river-management/hydro-electric projects are not facing any budgetary constraints, the last budget and the coming budget from the GOI have both seen to that. If you think otherwise then please provide some supporting evidence. Bangladesh is in no position to significantly invest in any of these projects to the extent that they could plug any large and supposed budgetary deficit. What the GOI is stating is that cooperate and invest (to a certain extent) if you want to be heard but do not expect us to dilute our interests for free. If you still think that we are trying to plug some "constraint" on our funds then please take note of the fact that funds required for over 80 (out of the planned 150 or so- many of them pending the final nod) such projects have ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED. Bangladesh simply has a chance now to purchase some equity in these projects, IF that is not desirable then we'll go ahead with them on our own. This will get repetitive Sir if you simply insist on sticking to jingoism and the perception that India is out to "get" Bangladesh.

 

[BanglaBhoot]

Our infrastructure projects with regard to dams/river-management/hydro-electric projects are not facing any budgetary constraints, the last budget and the coming budget from the GOI have both seen to that. If you think otherwise then please provide some supporting evidence. Bangladesh is in no position to significantly invest in any of these projects to the extent that they could plug any large and supposed budgetary deficit. What the GOI is stating is that cooperate and invest (to a certain extent) if you want to be heard but do not expect us to dilute our interests for free. If you still think that we are trying to plug some "constraint" on our funds then please take note of the fact that funds required for over 80 (out of the planned 150 or so- many of them pending the final nod) such projects have ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED. Bangladesh simply has a chance now to purchase some equity in these projects, IF that is not desirable then we'll go ahead with them on our own. This will get repetitive Sir if you simply insist on sticking to jingoism and the perception that India is out to "get" Bangladesh.

So what you are saying is that Bangladesh has been lied to. The Indian PM and other ministers have said that the dam projects would not go ahead without consultation with Bangladesh. Now you are saying the funds have already been allocated. Do Indians ever tell the truth?

 

[Dillinger]

So what you are saying is that Bangladesh has been lied to. The Indian PM and other ministers have said that the dam projects would not go ahead without consultation with Bangladesh. Now you are saying the funds have already been allocated. Do Indians ever tell the truth?

Funds have been allocated to various projects, the CII has already made it clear that the Budget-2013 will heavily focus on Infrastructural development- these facts are meant to illustrate that we are not facing any budgetary constraints. The specific projects being referred to here on the other hand have not been allocated funds simply because the final clearances are pending, the projects are currently in their planning phase ( for e.g. environmental clearances take a significant amount of time in India- which if you read industry reports is the major cause for road project delays) and Bangladesh can take its decision within a reasonable period of time- failing which we will obviously go ahead on our own. That is what I said, surely you can comprehend that?

 

[BanglaBhoot]

Funds have been allocated to various projects, the CII has already made it clear that the Budget-2013 will heavily focus on Infrastructural development- these facts are meant to illustrate that we are not facing any budgetary constraints. The specific projects being referred to here on the other hand have not been allocated funds simply because the final clearances are pending, the projects are currently in their planning phase ( for e.g. environmental clearances take a significant amount of time in India- which if you read industry reports is the major cause for road project delays) and Bangladesh can take its decision within a reasonable period of time- failing which we will obviously go ahead on our own. That is what I said, surely you can comprehend that?

All I see is another Indian being devious, sly and duplicitous ....

 

[Dillinger]

All I see is another Indian being devious, sly and duplicitous ....

Sir, if that is so then at least as far as you are concerned it is futile for India to make any such overtures- duly noted. Although I will reply to you on an individual basis with just this- India will not give up her right to utilize her resources in the interest of another nation if the said nation doesn't even feel inclined to come to the table to try and settle its own objections with India, that is not how nation states operate. Let us see now how the GOB reacts to this step. Good day to you.

 

[Kaniska]

Sir, didn't I say that each country has its own interests and absent cooperation each country will take steps that it finds necessary. China is doing that and so is India- the only difference is that India has considered it beneficial to take Bangladesh on-board. The pursuit of national interests cannot be viewed with such a narrow and myopic vision, hypocrisy doesn't even come into the picture here- India raised objections about Chinese projects and China saw it fit to simply provide lip service but the Indo-Bangla situation is different- India is building a far larger no. of dams in the north-east than just the three-four being built by China and thus the resultant impact on the lower riparian state may be far greater so we've made this offer.

Why are you telling Sir to the guy you replied...He is just another India hater without any logic...This is ridiculous...

 

[Dillinger]

Why are you telling Sir to the guy you replied...He is just another India hater without any logic...This is ridiculous...

Sir, prejudice aside MBI Munshi is a senior member here on the forum hence I've addressed him in a respectable manner. Besides I'm only 21, he's probably elder to me too. It doesn't hurt to meet one's obligation with regard to civility, specially not on an internet forum.

 

[itaskol]

to these three dams.
it will also benifit India and Bangladesh. because we never want to harm Bangladesh

and we just build the dams, we don't transfer the water somewhere else.

the another plan to transfer the Brahmaputra water to xinjiang is cancled

 

[jha]

All I see is another Indian being devious, sly and duplicitous ....

How is your recruitment agency doing these days..? Recruited some new members for RAW lately..?

Sir, prejudice aside MBI Munshi is a senior member here on the forum hence I've addressed him in a respectable manner. Besides I'm only 21, he's probably elder to me too. It doesn't hurt to meet one's obligation with regard to civility, specially not on an internet forum.

Correct. Munshi is probably one of the few sane Bangladeshis in this forum. A nationalist ( and anti-Indian at times ) one but Sane.

Bangladesh is being invited to buy equity for these projects to allay the fear that these dams will destroy their ecological balance. Lets see GoB's response.

 

[Moander]

You see I am not against the Bangladeshi's point of view. What I am amazed is that even when we are ready to hold joint talks on concerns of each party involved, still people feel India has vested interests.

Just a single question to you. Please answer it with as much objectivity and unbias as possible.
You see, as you said, Bangladesh govt. should think for the betterment and development of BD citizens. Hence as per you, India should not build the dam.

Now, obviously, Indian government is also a democratically elected one, working for the interests of 1.2 billion people, which, again, obviously will be before anyone else. Now tell me, if they feel the dam will be in the interests of Indians, won't they try and push for its construction, come what may?

Hence, the solution is in between. Can't be exactly like what BD thinks. We are also the owners of the river. Our views should also have atleast 50% importance, if not less.

If the dam is built, India will be benefited but it will be a deserter for Bangladesh. India is entitled to do any thing for betterment of its people but that does mean it has to be at the cost of your neighbor. There are lots of space for development even without Tipaimukhi Dam. Do you really want to be a gainer at the expenses of your small neighbor?

 

[Bang Galore]

If the dam is built, India will be benefited but it will be a deserter for Bangladesh. India is entitled to do any thing for betterment of its people but that does mean it has to be at the cost of your neighbor. There are lots of space for development even without Tipaimukhi Dam. Do you really want to be a gainer at the expenses of your small neighbor?

That opinion (of the dam being disastrous for BD) is yours to hold, there is no necessity for India & BD to agree on everything. The fact that discussions are encouraged, stakes are being offered is a good start. Better to work together to solve issues than merely talk at each other.

 

[Moander]

That opinion (of the dam being disastrous for BD) is yours to hold, there is no necessity for India & BD to agree on everything. The fact that discussions are encouraged, stakes are being offered is a good start. Better to work together to solve issues than merely talk at each other.

Yes, there is no necessity for India & BD to agree on everything.But if the issue effecting Bangladesh than its necessary to discuss. The farakka Dam has done severe damage to our south-west region. Even after water sharing treaty its still increasing salinity. If the Tipaimukhi Dam added to the equation it will be a nightmare. Even India & Bangladesh comes to any partnership or agreement the dam will be a ecological disaster.