India and Bangladesh should work together for comprehensive management of rivers, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar here on Sunday. Delivering opening remarks at the 7th round of India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission, Mr. Jaishankar welcomed his counterpart A.K. Abdul Momen and extended India’s assistance in management of the annual flood in Bangladesh and said the Indian side wished to work with Bangladesh on Artificial Intelligence, start-ups, Fintech and cybersecurity.
“We would also like to convey our support and solidarity at the unprecedented flooding that we have had in northern Bangladesh. We have also had in the north-east. We are now sharing flood management data for an extended period. I would like to take the opportunity to convey that if in any concrete way, we can be of assistance to you in the management of flood and relief efforts, we would be very glad to be supportive,” said Mr. Jaishankar.
The Indian Minister took up the riparian dimension of bilateral relations with Bangladesh, which is the largest trade partner of India in south Asia, and said the two sides shared 54 rivers that required Delhi and Dhaka to work together and share “environmental responsibility” in areas such as the Sundarbans.
