A secretary-level meeting between Bangladesh and India on sharing of water of various common rivers and other river-related issues is likely to be held in the next month, Bangladeshi official news agency BSS reported Wednesday.

Water Resources Advisor of the Bangladeshi caretaker government ASM Matiur Rahman said this while speaking at a views exchange meeting with a delegation of the Water Reporters Forum (WRF) here Wednesday.

Matiur Rahman said the interaction between Bangladesh and India for solving the existing problem in sharing of water of the river Ichhamati and the river Teesta are proceeding.

"We found India is more positive now in comparison with its stand in the past. I hope we could reach an agreement in sharing of water of the river Teesta soon," he said.

Matiur Rahman said India sought Bangladesh's approval for dredging the 20-km long river-bed of the Ichhamati in its territory. "We have already apprised India of our position in this regard," he said.

Besides, he said, a model study will be conducted jointly by Bangladesh and India on the three common rivers -- the Barak, the Surma and the Kushiara -- along with the borders of the two countries to undertake a project to check the erosion of the banks of the three rivers and ensure their natural water flows. He said India has already given its consent in this regard.

The advisor hoped that all the unsolved issues originated from the common rivers between the two countries would come up for the discussion in the next meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint River Commission.

Source: Xinhua