Bangladesh Adviser Dismisses India's Worries Over Teesta River Project

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman has said that no country should be concerned about the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, amid India’s stated concerns over the development. Speaking to reporters in Dhaka, the adviser maintained that Bangladesh is a sovereign country and will pursue development projects according to its own national interests and priorities.

Zahed Ur Rahman said he saw no reason for India or any other country to be anxious about Bangladesh’s developmental initiatives. He argued that other nations would have to engage with Bangladesh as a sovereign state and respect its decisions on projects undertaken within the country. His comments came after India publicly acknowledged that it had raised concerns regarding the Teesta project with the Bangladeshi side.

The adviser also referred to China’s potential role in the project, saying Beijing has the technical expertise and financial capacity required to undertake an initiative of this scale. His remarks have drawn attention to the strategic dimensions surrounding the Teesta River project, particularly because the river is shared by India and Bangladesh and has long remained an important subject in relations between the two neighbouring countries.

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India has been open about its concerns regarding the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi’s concerns had been conveyed to Bangladesh. The Indian position has placed renewed focus on the project and its possible implications, while Bangladesh has insisted that decisions regarding its development plans will be made in accordance with its sovereign interests.

The Teesta River remains an important transboundary river for both countries, with issues surrounding water management and sharing featuring in bilateral discussions for years. Any major development project involving the river is therefore closely watched because of its potential environmental, economic and strategic significance. The latest exchange comes as both sides continue to navigate questions surrounding cooperation and their respective interests connected to the river.

Zahed Ur Rahman’s remarks signal Dhaka’s position that the proposed project should be viewed primarily as a domestic development initiative rather than a cause for concern among other countries. While India has confirmed that it has communicated its concerns, Bangladesh has defended its right to move forward with development decisions based on its own priorities. The issue is expected to remain closely watched as further details emerge about the project’s implementation and the nature of any external involvement.

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