India, Bangladesh will soon approve Teesta water sharing deal: Rajnath Singh

Kolkata: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the Teesta water sharing deal will soon get the approval of both India and Bangladesh.

“India, Bangladesh will soon approve Teesta water sharing deal. We hope to get full cooperation from West Bengal government,” he said.

The Home Minister's statement came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Dhaka.

On the Land Boundary Agreement between the two countries, Singh said "The land boundary issue was stuck for 40 years. Now the decision has been taken".

Bangladesh High Commissioner Syed Muazzem Ali had last week hoped that Teesta water sharing pact would be signed during Modi's visit to the country and noted that Indian government has briefed Bangladesh on "internal" discussions the Centre was having with West Bengal government.

Singh also said Kolkata-Agartala bus service via Dhaka would also start soon. The trial runs have already been done.

Stating that India wants cordial relations with all its neighbours, the Union Minister, however said it gave "befitting" reply to Pakistan during ceasefire violations by that country.

"Earlier when Pakistan used to do ceasefire violations, our forces used to show white flags. But now BSF gave them a befitting reply during any ceasefire violations and they had to seek UN intervention," he said.

During his China visit, the Prime Minister had strongly presented India's viewpoint on various outstanding issues between two countries, he added.

(With PTI Inputs)