Trade and Transit is also likely to top the agenda as the trade gap is in India's favour and is widening. The 162-metre high Tipaimukh dam being constructed about 200 km upstream of Barak river from Bangladesh border, will generate 1500 MW power for the Northeastern region. However, it is feared that at any given time, of the 1500 MW, only 412 MW would be generated, usually in the monsoons when the river is in spate.
Bangladesh fears it would restrict water supply in its rivers. Nearly three-fourths of the Barak river flows through Bangladesh. Once the river enters Bangladesh, it forms a network of tributaries. Bangladesh says diverting water from the Barak would leave about half the country dry during winters while during Summers, opening the dam's gates in case of excess rainfall upstream could cause floods. However, India maintains that the dam would be beneficial for both the countries and would not cause floods in Bangladesh.
''It will not harm Bangladesh but will help control floods in rainy season,'' an official said. He said the dam would help strengthen ties between the two countries and decrease floods in the rainy season. There would also be no diversion of water, the official said. A 10-member Bangladesh Parliamentary delegation visited India last month and inspected the dam. The details given by India were being examined. ''The team has expressed satisfaction,'' the official said. The dam is also facing opposition from some people in Assam and Manipur who say it would displace about 40,000 people, mostly indigenous Zeliangrongs and Hmars in the Northeastern state. India began preparation for the construction of the dam in 2003. The construction was, however, stopped following opposition from Bangladesh and some people in Manipur.