Happy to share Teesta water : Bengal chief minister tells Bangladesh FM

Kolkata, Nov 17 (PTI) The controversial Teesta water sharing issue figured prominently at a meeting here Wednesday between Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of the Indian state of West Bengal with the latter saying that she would be 'happy if water can be shared with Bangladesh.' "The people of Bangladesh want Teesta water. It is their long-standing demand. We appreciate their demand. We will be glad if water can be shared," Banerjee told newsmen at the State Secretariat in the presence of Moni. "We will definitely do what we can. We love Bangladesh. We will have to see that (the Indian state of West) Bengal does not face water shortage and Bangladesh also gets water. We will have to see what can be done about this. Therefore, we have sought expert opinion. After we get their report we will give our view." Observing that efforts had been made by some quarters 'to create controversy and confusion' over the water-sharing issue, she said, "I will appeal to the media not to write anything that may adversely affect relations between the two countries. Remember, this is not a political battle. This is a question of strengthening bonds between two countries." The Bangladesh Foreign Minister said that water was always an important issue in any talk between India and Bangladesh. "I have discussed the issue (with Banerjee). Though the Teesta agreement is a matter to be signed between the two countries, the role of West Bengal was also discussed." Moni, however, declined to make any comment on the West Bengal government's stand vis-a-vis the Central Indian government on the Teesta water sharing issue, saying that this was an internal matter of India. "Our cooperation will remain in all matters including the issue of water and we hope our relation will be further strengthened," Moni said. The chief minister had refused to accompany Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka in September as she was reportedly upset with the Teesta water sharing treaty feeling that the agreement would go against the interests of the state. Meanwhile, Banerjee has accepted an invitation to visit Bangladesh made by Dipu Moni. "There are two big programmes in Bangladesh in December and March. My friend and sister Dipu has invited us to them. We have accepted the invitation. We will see when it will be suitable for us to visit. We will inform them accordingly," Banerjee told the newsmen. Banerjee expressed gratitude to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for accepting her invitation to address the convocation of the Calcutta University. The Bangladesh Foreign minister was in Kolkata on her way back from a meeting of the Indian Ocean rim countries in the southern Indian city of Bangalore. PTI Caption for pic: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (left) with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni after a meeting in Kolkata on Wednesday evening. PTI Photo