Dhaka: Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud on Monday called for a joint effort between India and Bangladesh to harness the water resources in the Ganges-Brahmaputra- Meghna basin, in order to ensure greater well-being of the people of the region.

Calling for early signing of the Teesta water sharing agreement, the Minister said that solving the issues related to water will help achieve development and stability in the region.  

He was speaking as the special guest at the inaugural session of the Water Innovation Summit 2015 in New Delhi arranged by the Confederation of Indian Industries and the Water Institute of India, said a Foreign Ministry media release.

In his address the Water Resources Minister emphasised the centrality of water in the larger canvas of security and sustainable human development in the region.  

Bangladesh and India tackle an abundance of water during the monsoon, and suffer acute scarcity in parts during the dry season.  

If an integrated approach is taken to manage the waters of the entire basin, the region would be able to harness the huge potentials of its water resources better, he said.

In this connection he articulated the need for construction of a barrage on the Ganges inside Bangladesh territory in order to ensure availability of fresh water in the southern parts of the country, and to contain the adverse effects of climate change.  

After the session wrapped up, the Minister met his Indian counterpart Uma Bharti, and discussed matters of mutual interest between the two countries.  

On interlinking of rivers in India, she assured that no projects would be taken up ‘which would in anyway affect Bangladesh’.   

Bharti also accepted an invitation to attend the next Joint Rivers Commission meeting between the two countries, to be held in Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.