I read about Pinak Chakravarty’s comments on the Tipaimukh Dam. He made a lot of childish comments. He claimed that no treaty exists Internationally to stop the dam construction. While he may be technically true, but this is not the ideal way to deal with another nation. Even if India does not sign the treaty, India should be respectful of the same. Also, to keep a note of, India did not actually vote against the convention. Nor did it specify any problems with main clauses of it. No objections were raised on equitable sharing of water resources.Rather the same was used in Ganges water treaty with Bangladesh in 1996.
Instead, he should have used the same convention to highlight Indian position on Tipaimukh. He could have explained how people in Barak valley suffer from yearly flood. He could have talked about electricity problems in North-East. He didn’t. He has shown how arrogant he could be.
Sometimes I don’t blame him. I heard Indian Ambassador in Nepal also made similar comments on Nepal’s election and later on Prachanda’s decision to axe the Army chief. I think it is part Indian policy to show arrogance against neighbors.
In fact he’s not doing it for the first time. He has made himself an example of bad diplomacy. It’s the time for India should rest a few diplomats. And this person should be on top of that list.
Additional Reading : A report (from Bangladesh) disagreeing my opinion.
June 22, 2009 at 3:46 pm
[...] New Horizon criticizes the comments of Pinak Chakravarty, the Indian ambassador to Bangladesh, on the Tipaimukh Dam. The [...]
June 23, 2009 at 2:25 am
This guy has agitated a lot of people in Bangladesh. In the deep of my heart one thing I an certain of that this dam is going to be built. We do not have sufficient power to block India building it. But the way India pursuing the matter is very shameful and concerning. We are a marginal economy facing lots of problems ourselves, and India is trying to inflict more problems on us. This is not the way to develop a cozy relationship. The animosity and hatered among bangladeshis are going to increase against India in coming days and India soly will have to bear the responsibility.
June 24, 2009 at 3:02 pm
he should not comment- as he is also not an expert on this subject. he must respect others knowledge and emotion.
June 24, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Or gather data from other experts to counter them. Talking nonsense doesn’t help anyone.
July 11, 2009 at 5:55 am
I think India will go ahead with this Tipaimukh project without caring Bangladesh’s sentiment and merits, demerits on Bangladesh part. India showed a similar attitude in Farakka and Tista earlier. Then why should Bangladesh shows a lineant view in giving corridore and port facilities(now and in future) to them.Bangladesh should have a plebiscite before doing so. the nation should not ignore the public sentiment while dealing with neighbours.
July 12, 2009 at 6:46 am
Unilateral behavior is not wrong, non-equitable solutions are.