River-linking project

We are deeply concerned over media reports in India that New Delhi is going ahead with its river-linking project which is deemed to be potentially catastrophic for Bangladesh. The project will connect Teesta-Ganges-Manas- Sankosh rivers across three Indian states and divert water to southern Indian states. 

The water diversion project will severely diminish the water flow into Bangladesh's major rivers like the Teesta, Jamuna and the Padma. It will cause serious downstream impacts on Bangladesh where these rivers work as lifelines. The rivers are already enfeebled due to lack of adequate water flow caused by various projects like Teesta barrage and Farakka barrage upstream of these rivers. 

According to international norms as well as understanding between India and Bangladesh, India is not supposed to take such a major decision on common rivers without addressing Bangladesh's concerns and taking her on board. We wonder when bilateral relations between the two neighbours have been flourishing why such a unilateral move would be taken by India.  

As per the joint communiqué signed by the prime ministers of Bangladesh and India in 2010, the common rivers would be managed through a basin-wide approach. Water and environment experts of both the countries also endorse this approach. Now, in view of the media reports, Indian government needs to clear the air by issuing an official statement.