Kolkata, Feb 19 (IANS) Hours before her maiden visit to Bangladesh as the West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee Thursday remained mum on the contentious Teesta water sharing deal but exuded confidence of a breakthrough in the land boundary agreement.
"I won't say anything on Teesta. If you have questions on other issues, you can ask," Banerjee told media persons at the state assembly premises.
Banerjee said she has assured External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj that West Bengal and Bangladesh - who share the common language Bengali - were continuing to build bridges.
"We have already informed the central government about our willingness for the settlement of the land border agreement. We have told the centre about preparing a rehabilitation package for the enclave dwellers. We are very positive about the issue being settled this time," Banerjee said.
Once the land boundary agreement (LBA) is passed, India will cede 111 enclaves measuring 17,160 acres to Bangladesh and receive 51 enclaves covering 7,110 acres. More than 51,000 people reside in these enclaves.
"We need to think and plan about the enclave dwellers. We have sent a proposal of rehabilitation package for the enclave dwellers to the central government," said Banerjee, who had earlier opposed the pact only to make a U-turn after the BJP-led central government expressed its eagerness to ratify the agreement.
"Sushma Swaraj also called me up to offer her best wishes. I assured her we will continue our efforts of building bridges," said Banerjee, who heads the Trinamool Congress.
The Teesta water sharing pact has been put on hold after the Trinamool's strong opposition, over fears that the treaty could spell disaster for northern West Bengal.
In September 2011, Banerjee had embarrassed then prime minister Manmohan Singh by pulling out of the prime minister-led delegation to Bangladesh over the water sharing agreement, forcing India to drop it from the agenda.
During her three-day trip to the neighbouring nation beginning Thursday, the chief minister will meet Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"Besides having a one-to-one meeting with Hasina, I will also meet the president and their external affairs minister. A business delegation is accompanying us and we will have a business meet there.
"Our Singapore visit was very fruitful which was evident during the Global Business summit here. We hope our Bangladesh visit will also be very fruitful," Banerjee said.
The chief minister, who is undertaking the trip on an invitation by Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali, will attend the main function at Dhaka's Shaheed Minar on the occasion of Mother Language Day Feb 21, which commemorates the martyrdom of Bangladeshi youths during the Language Movement in 1952.
Banerjee is also scheduled to address a business conclave organised by the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) in association with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Kolkata.
She would be visiting the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi and also be present at a reception hosted in her honour by India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran.
State Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, Tourism Minister and playwright Bratya Basu, actors-turned-MPs Deb and Moonmoon Sen, and business magnates Harsh Neotia and J.P. Choudhury are part of the entourage.
Corona: Home Ministry orders supply of oxygen to states, serious patients will get 'new life'
The pressure on hospitals has increased amidst increasing cases of corona in the country. There is a shortage of oxygen in many states. Because of the situation, the Ministry of Home Affairs has
Rajnath dissociates Government, BJP from Mufti's remark
New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday dissociated the government and the BJP from the remarks of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who gave credit to
Climate activists punctured the tires of 900 cars: Said- carbon emissions from cars are increasing, this is a threat to the climate
A climate activist group named 'The Tire Extinguisher' performed uniquely in 8 countries of the world. The activist punctured the tires of about 900 cars. Their aim was only one - to draw people's
Attack on Trump: Biden orders independent review of security; Appeals to avoid speculation on motive of crime
In the case of the deadly attack on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, US President Joe Biden said that the investigation of the attack on Trump has been directed to be done 'thoroughly
Russian President Vladimir Putin ready for talks to end the war in Ukraine refuses to withdraw troops
Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to talk about ending the war in Ukraine but for this, the Western countries will have to accept some of Russia's demands. This was stated by the Kremlin
New Covid Variant: WHO begins investigation on new Eris variant, a case has come to India
The World Health Organization (WHO) has started an investigation on Eris emanating from the Omicron variant of Corona. At present, WHO has included it in the category of Variant of Interest. It has
Budget 2024: Government box opened for the country's future, what did the youth struggling with unemployment and paper leaks get? Know
The Modi government presented the first budget of its third term today i.e. on 23 July. During this time, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several important steps to remove the resentment
India-Pak Tension: After Operation Sindoor, news of explosion-like sound in Lahore, Pakistan, on high alert
After the Indian Army's Operation Sindoor on Pakistani terrorist hideouts, there is news of a blast in Lahore today. According to media reports, several sounds of explosions were heard near Walton
Delhi: Manish Sisodia wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, saying- 'It is necessary to have an educated PM for India's progress
Manish Sisodia has raised the question of Prime Minister Narendra Modi being educated by writing a letter to the country from jail. Sisodia has said in his letter that the less educated Prime Minister
24 hours ultimatum to Nayanthara and Netflix, Dhanush said- 'Remove the content, or pay 10 crores'
South superstar Nayanthara is in the headlines these days. Her documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale has been released on Netflix. There is a rift between Nayanthara and Dhanush regarding this
