Water issues should take place in JRC meeting: Jaiswal

Spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said on Wednesday that all water-related cooperation and discussions between the two countries should take place through their existing bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), as well as other structured dialogue mechanisms already in place. 

"There are several rivers which are shared between Bangladesh and India. In fact, to pinpoint the number, 54 rivers are shared between the two countries. And all water-related collaboration or discussions that have to happen between the two countries have to be done through the bilateral Joint Rivers Mechanism or Joint Rivers Commission that we have with Bangladesh, along with the structured dialogue mechanisms that are in place," Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters. 

Asked about a recent report by the UN Security Council's (UNSC) monitoring team on jihadist terror groups that mentioned Bangladesh, Jaiswal said terrorism and security should be a shared concern.

"See, terrorism and security matters are something that should concern everybody because it is a common scourge for all of us. We want to fight this problem together," he said.

"You saw the report of the monitoring committee which came out recently. They specifically mentioned people who were behind the group that was behind the Red Fort terror attack as well," Jaiswal said.

The Indian MEA spokesperson said India wants "positive, constructive and forward-looking" relations with Bangladesh based on mutual interest and reciprocity.

"Our position on the press conference by the former prime minister needs no repetition. On the issue of extraditions, our consistent position has been, and you're well aware of that, that these requests are being examined as part of our established processes," he said.

On energy cooperation with Bangladesh, Jaiswal said it remains ongoing in accordance with existing contracts and agreements. He also added that any further requests for additional supplies must go through a well-established process of scrutiny, as India must meet its own needs first. 

About Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visit to Delhi Jaiswal said he had no update on the matter. "When I have an update, I will surely share with you," he said.