No progress on Teesta feasibility study before or during interim govt: Shama Obaed

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today (1 July) said the feasibility study on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) will continue from where it left off, stressing that no progress was made on it during the interim government or before its tenure.

"The feasibility study is in the same state as when it was started. There has been no progress. It was not carried out during the interim period, nor was it done before the interim period," she told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Shama Obaed said China has agreed to provide Bangladesh with the technical support needed to conduct the feasibility study.

"Besides Teesta, we have challenges in river management across the country. China also wants to help and support us in that area. That is the assistance China wants to provide," she said.

Bangladesh and China have agreed to expedite a joint feasibility study on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP).

If the feasibility study justifies the project, China will extend adequate support for its implementation.

Seeking deeper cooperation with Bangladesh in integrated water resources management, China has decided to provide support "within its capacity" for the TRCMRP.

The Chinese side will also support experts from both countries in expediting the feasibility study of the project and related work, according to a joint statement shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as integrated water resources management, water resources planning, hydrological forecasting, flood prevention and disaster reduction, river dredging, and related technology sharing.

Shama Obaed said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to China has certainly taken Bangladesh-China relations to a new height.

"Bangladesh's relations with China have always been good. China has always been a strong partner in our economic and social development. In the coming days, it will invest even more," said the State Minister.

She expressed hope that Chinese investment in Bangladesh will increase further.

"New investments will come, and we are certainly reviewing the proposals made by the Chinese government, including the two-plus-two meeting and the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor," she said.

Shama Obaed said the government has maintained from the very beginning that Bangladesh's foreign policy will safeguard the interests of its people while keeping their needs at the forefront.

'Efforts underway to extradite Hasina'

On Sheikh Hasina's extradition, the state minister said the government is continuing efforts to extradite ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to face trial in Bangladesh.

She said, "Of course, we should bring her back to Bangladesh and complete the trial. That is what the people of Bangladesh want. Work is underway for that purpose."

Shama Obaed, however, said there was no fresh update on the extradition process.

Bangladesh has repeatedly requested India to extradite Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both of whom have been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal.

On 17 April, India's Ministry of External Affairs said it was examining Bangladesh's request as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes.

Earlier, on 8 April, Bangladesh reiterated its extradition request, while Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said the government would continue pursuing Hasina's return through a transparent judicial process.