New Delhi’s message to Dhaka on review of 101 agreements, ‘will take necessary measures to protect interests’

India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has reacted to the initiative of reviewing 101 agreements and memorandums of understanding signed with Bangladesh. He said the Bangladesh government has not yet formally informed anything on this matter. However, if any initiative is taken to reconsider or change the agreements, necessary measures will be taken to protect India’s interests.

Randhir Jaiswal stated this position while responding to journalists’ questions at the regular press conference of India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Friday (September 18).

When asked about the matter that Bangladesh is reviewing 101 bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding signed with India, he said they have seen some reports published in the media on the subject. However, India has not yet received any formal message from the Bangladesh government on this matter.

Randhir Jaiswal said if the Bangladesh government takes any formal step, India will take necessary measures to protect its own interests.

Earlier on September 11, Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Nurul Islam Moni had informed that the government is reviewing 101 agreements and memorandums of understanding signed with India. He had also said the results of the review of these agreements will be known soon.

In response to a question whether issues such as the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports are also under the purview of this review, Nurul Islam Mani had said all agreements are being reviewed. Decisions may also be taken on cancelling or changing any agreement as per necessity.

At the same time he had said India is a neighbouring and friendly country of Bangladesh and the government wants to maintain friendly relations; however, national interest will be given priority.

Meanwhile, the tenure of the Ganges water-sharing agreement signed with India in 1996 is also scheduled to end in December this year. In response to journalists’ questions on this matter, Randhir Jaiswal said discussions will continue through the existing bilateral arrangements of the two countries and technical-level meetings on water-related issues will also continue.

The 30-year Ganges water-sharing agreement was signed on December 12, 1996. Discussions on the next steps between the two countries have become important before the end of the tenure. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the process of existing Joint River Commission and technical-level communications remains operational on this matter.