Indian Water Resources Minister Arjun Charan Sethi told reporters Wednesday that both countries felt the frequency of JRC meetings needed to increase.

The 35th JRC talks that dragged past Tuesday midnight were held after three years, although the two nations were to hold meetings twice a year.

Sethi indicates that India may discuss the controversial multibillion dollar river-link plan with its neighbours after the taskforce for a feasibility study of the plan comes up with recommendations.

Explaining why the JRC New Delhi round lurched for hours, Sethi said the river-interlink issue was critical for both countries and needed clarification from both sides. "That is why we needed such a long time to work out a consensus."

"The taskforce has not made any recommendation. After it does so, we might discuss the issue with Indian states concerned and other countries if necessary," Sethi said.

On reports on some Indian states complaining that they were not consulted on the project, the minister said, "That's not true. The project has not taken any shape yet. We will discuss with them once it is ready."

He pointed out that there were long discussions on the share of waters of Teesta and other rivers.

India raised the issue of repairs of the banks of the Muhuri River and Bangladesh said it would take up the issue with the appropriate authorities for an early decision.

The issue had also land boundary problems that need to be solved.

The JRC Delhi round ended with a consensus that Bangladesh's concern over the Indian $200 billion water diversion project was included in the agreed minutes of the meeting and India might discuss with Bangladesh when the project takes shape.