Dhaka, Oct 21 (V7N) – Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Md. Touhid Hossain, has dismissed circulating social media claims that ten agreements with India have been cancelled, clarifying that the list being shared is inaccurate. He made the statement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday afternoon while responding to journalists’ queries.

According to Advisor Hossain, the list was likely circulated by an individual with a comment, which may have been reposted by others. He emphasized that most of the agreements listed either do not exist, were never signed under the mentioned names, or only one had been cancelled long ago.

Several projects cited on social media were clarified as follows:

  • Tripura-Chattogram Rail Link Project: Mentioned as cancelled, but no such project exists.

  • Abhaypur-Akhaura Rail Expansion: Social media claims are incorrect; no such project exists.

  • Ashuganj-Agartala Corridor: No project under this name exists. However, the ongoing Ashuganj-Saraile-Dharkhar Project had one package (Package 3: Dharkhar to Akhaura Land Port) cancelled.

  • Feni River Water Management Project: No project exists under this name. There was a 2019 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh and India to withdraw 1.82 cusecs of water for drinking supply to Sabroom, Tripura; this MoU remains valid.

  • Kushiara River Water Distribution Project: No project under this name exists. A 2022 MoU between Bangladesh and India governs water withdrawal from the Kushiara River, which has not been suspended.

  • Road and Waterway Development for Port Usage: Social media claims are incorrect. However, a 2018 agreement allows goods transportation via Chattogram and Mongla ports; this agreement remains in effect.

  • Farakka Barrage Assistance Proposal: The ministry has no record of any cancellation; the proposal is not cancelled.

  • Sylhet-Silchar Connectivity Project: No such project exists.

  • Petroleum Pipeline Expansion Agreement: No formal agreement with India exists; only preliminary discussions were held regarding the Maitree Pipeline from Numaligarh, India, to Parbatipur, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.

  • Indian Economic Zone Projects (Mirsarai & Mongla): Social media claims are misleading; financing under the Indian Line of Credit (LoC) is ongoing with cancellation procedures underway.

  • Adani Power Import Agreement: Reconsideration is ongoing following court instructions.

  • Ganga Water Distribution Agreement (1996): Mentioned for renewal/reconsideration, but the agreement is valid until 2026. Renewal discussions will follow.

  • Teesta River Water Distribution Draft Agreement (2010/2011): Drafted but not signed; discussions are ongoing.

  • Only the Tag Boat Agreement with an Indian defense company has been formally cancelled.

Advisor Hossain concluded that most of the agreements listed on social media are either inaccurately described, non-existent, or ongoing, and urged caution against misinformation.

END/RKB/SMA/