Bangladesh has welcomed the Netherlands' interest in conducting a feasibility study and providing technical expertise and assistance for the Teesta River master plan, following China's involvement in the proposed project.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman welcomed the Dutch government's interest during a meeting with a delegation led by Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma at the Prime Minister's Office in the Secretariat on Tuesday.
The information was shared by the prime minister's Deputy Press Secretary, Shahadat Hossain Swadhin.
During the meeting, Tarique said Bangladesh and the Netherlands, both delta countries, had significant opportunities to work together by addressing common challenges and exchanging expertise. He expressed particular interest in the Netherlands' experience in land reclamation.
Sjoerdsma emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation and exchanging knowledge and experience in water resource management, land reclamation, development and climate-resilient river management.
The proposed Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) has previously been discussed as an area of cooperation between Bangladesh and China.
India has been closely monitoring China's involvement in the project because of the Teesta region's proximity to the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the Chicken's Neck, which connects India's northeastern states with the rest of the country. New Delhi has concerns about the potential security implications of an expanded Chinese presence in the area.
Following Tarique's visit to China in June, a joint statement issued by Bangladesh and China formally referred to cooperation on the Teesta master plan.
The statement said the two countries had agreed to deepen cooperation in integrated water resource management, water planning, river-flow forecasting, flood prevention, disaster-risk reduction, river dredging and the exchange of related technologies.
It also said China would provide assistance within its capacity for the Teesta project and support experts from both countries in advancing the feasibility study and related work.
Bangladesh has maintained that the project is being pursued in line with national interests and is not intended to undermine India's interests. Dhaka has said the main objectives are to restore the river system, improve water management and enhance the livelihoods of local communities.
Bangladesh has also indicated that it is discussing the project with countries beyond China. The proposed initiative is expected to help address local flooding and water shortages during the dry season.
Sjoerdsma said the current period offered an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations through expanded investment and cooperation. He highlighted potential collaboration in water resource management, transboundary river management, democracy and economic development.