Dhaka: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that India will make sure that its river interlinking project in the Himalayan basin does not affect Bangladesh.

‘Prime Minister Modi reiterated the earlier commitment that India would not take any unilateral decision on the Himalayan component of their River Interlinking Project which may affect Bangladesh,’ a Bangladesh-India joint declaration said referring to the meeting between the premiers of both the countries that took place on Saturday.

‘Prime Minister Modi also conveyed that the Tipaimukh Hydro-Electric Power Project is not likely to be taken forward in its present form due to statutory requirements on the Indian side and that India would not take any unilateral decision on this matter that may adversely impact Bangladesh,’ it added.

The joint declaration, which was issued on Sunday, also noted that Modi during the meeting conveyed to Hasina that ‘deliberations are underway involving all stakeholders with regard to conclusion of the Interim Agreement on sharing waters of Teesta and Feni as soon as possible.’

‘The two Prime Ministers recalled Article-2 of the Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development of 2011 and reiterated their commitment to address the issue of water resources management of common rivers including water sharing, in a holistic manner through common basin management,’ said the declaration.

‘Both Prime Ministers agreed that the advantages of sub-regional cooperation in power sector, water resources, trade, transit and connectivity should be harnessed to mutual benefit,’ it added.