New Delhi:
India and Bangladesh have to now contend with domestic compulsions forcing them to lower expectations. Apart from Mamata Banerjee sulking over the Teesta water sharing pact, the Assam chapter of the Bishwa Hindu Parishad has called a general strike in Assam.
They are protesting against the state government's decision to give away certain areas of disputed land in Assam to Bangladesh. The bandh has evoked a mixed response in the state. While the business establishment preferred to keep their shutters down, the government office remained open.
In Bangladesh, the Awami League government has pulled back from a likely transit treaty fearing Opposition backlash.
So instead of a treaty, Dhaka and New Delhi may sign 'exchange of letter' on transit. The 'exchange of letter' will allow the use of Chittagong and Mongla seaports.
Transit treaty was expected to enable goods and people to use from India's Northeast to use Bangladesh territory for faster connectivity to rest of India and markets on Southeast Asia.
Officially, Dhaka says its roads and ports are not yet fully developed to handle increased traffic.
Despite these irritants India and Bangladesh are expected to sign an overarching framework agreement covering a wide gamut of fields.