China to send technical team for Teesta project

Bangladesh has formally sought Chinese assistance to implement the Teesta master plan, requesting a loan of about $550 million. China has responded positively, with its ambassador in Dhaka, Yao Wen, confirming Beijing’s interest in the project.

The Chinese envoy expressed the commitment during an hour-long meeting with Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (September 15).

"A team of Chinese technical experts will visit Bangladesh by the end of this year to assess the project’s feasibility," he said.

Following Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s visit to Beijing, discussions on the Teesta initiative gained momentum. The Economic Relations Division (ERD) formally submitted a loan request through the Chinese embassy in July, based on a proposal from the Ministry of Water Resources.

The first phase of the project is estimated to cost $750 million, of which $550 million is expected from Chinese financing and the remaining from the Bangladesh government.

Construction is targeted to begin in 2026 and finish by 2029.

India had earlier expressed interest in investing in the Teesta project, with then–Foreign Secretary Vinay Koirala visiting Dhaka in 2024. However, the current interim government is moving forward with China.

Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Teesta project holds both economic and strategic significance. Since the river originates in China, which has already built dams on the Teesta and other nearby rivers, Beijing’s involvement could open broader discussions on water flow management.

Ambassador Yao Wen assured that while China is keen to support the project, Bangladesh will retain full authority in determining its implementation framework.