Talking to journalists at Zia International Airport, Water Resources Minister Hafizuddin Ahmed disclosed this after he returned home from the two-day UNSCD meeting, which ended on Wednesday.

He also raised the issue of receiving flood-forecasting information in advance from neighbouring India at the Paris talks.

"If Bangladesh gets flood warning information in advance, we can minimise flood damages and prepare ourselves better to face the disaster," he told reporters.

Among other issues, participants at the meeting also discussed issues of safe drinking water and sanitation system in Bangladesh, the minister said.

Norwegian Environment and Water Resources Minister Borge Brende chaired the UNSCD meeting while among others, ministers from Iceland, Nigeria, Uganda and Bangladesh attended it.

Meeting his French counterpart Tokia Saifi at her office, Hafiz informed her of the possible adverse effect of the proposed Indian river-linking mega project. He also sought French support in constructing Padma barrage and mitigating arsenic problem in Bangladesh.

"Saifi assured me of apprising the Indian authorities of Dhaka's concern during her forthcoming India visit," the minister said.

To hold the next meeting of Indo-Bangla Joint River Commission, Dhaka recently sent a letter to New Delhi, Hafiz said adding that India has not yet responded.