China pledges help for BD's Teesta river project

China has promised to support Bangladesh in its major plan to manage and restore the Teesta River, despite concerns raised by India. Beijing has stressed that this partnership is only between Bangladesh and China and is intended to help local people, not to affect any other country.

During a press conference in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to questions about India’s worries. He explained that the project is all about improving the lives of the people in Bangladesh. He added that China is ready to help as much as it can to make the project a success.

The Teesta River project is important because it is located very close to the northeastern part of India. New Delhi has expressed concern for a long time because they worry that having China involved so close to the “Siliguri Corridor”—a narrow strip of land that connects India’s main territory to its northeastern states—could be a security risk.

However, China has rejected these security concerns. Beijing describes the project as a humanitarian effort designed to boost the local economy, improve water management, and raise the standard of living for those who rely on the river.

The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Khalilur Rahman, stated that the project has moved forward significantly. For the first time, experts from both Bangladesh and China are going to work together on a “technical feasibility study". This study will look at whether the project is practical and effective. If the study indicates that the plan is a good idea, China has promised to provide the necessary support to move forward.

The two countries have already been working closely on managing Bangladesh’s rivers. Back in January of this year, the Bangladesh Water Development Board and the Chinese company PowerChina extended an agreement to continue working together on this project. Both nations appear focused on using this partnership to improve water resource management and boost economic growth in the region.

Would you like me to elaborate on the specific technical aspects of the Teesta River project, or would you prefer to explore how this initiative might impact the local economy in Bangladesh?