Wednesday, September 21 2005 15:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: India today (Sept 21, 2005) assured Bangladesh that Himalayan streams would be excluded from its river-linking project.

Dhaka had raised concerns over the issue during the two-day Joint River Commission talks, which ended here yesterday (Sept 20, 2005).

"I categorically assure you that the Himalayan rivers will not be included in the river-linking project," Water Resources Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi said.

"I don't presume or assume any such possibility in the distance future," he told reporters.

Dasmunshi said, "even if the project affects any of the Himalayan river because of any link, the first cry will start from Bihar and West Bengal."

Bangladesh Water Resources Hafizuddin Ahmed said he was quite satisfied with the two-day talks. "The talks were held amid a spirit of cooperation."

However, the crucial sharing of water of the Teesta river remained unresolved and was referred to the joint experts committee who would report back to the Commission, officials said, adding some tangible progress was made on other issues like flood warning timing.

The two ministers said they would 'soon' visit together vulnerable sides of the bordering rivers to witness erosion and water scarcity situation there.

They also signed agreements, minutes after the end of the two-day Commission meet.