Bangladesh to Pursue International Support for River Water Rights in India Pact Renewal

Bangladesh Pushes for Robust Water Treaty with India

Bangladesh is intensifying its efforts to secure a comprehensive water-sharing treaty with India, with the country's water resources minister, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, vowing to approach international forums if necessary to protect its water rights.

Anee's statement, made at a seminar in Dhaka, underscores the long-standing issue of water sharing between the two nations. The Ganges Water Treaty, signed in 1996, is set to expire in December, and Bangladesh is keen to renegotiate the agreement to ensure a more equitable distribution of the river's waters.

The key concern for Bangladesh is the lack of a guarantee clause in the current treaty, which would provide a minimum amount of water during dry seasons or when river levels drop unexpectedly. Anee emphasized the need for such a clause, citing the country's reliance on the Ganges River for its water supply.

A History of Water Sharing Disputes

The India-Bangladesh Ganges Water Treaty has been a contentious issue for decades, with both countries having different perspectives on water sharing. Bangladesh has long argued that the treaty does not guarantee enough reliable water during the driest seasons, while India maintains that the treaty is adequate.

The Farakka Barrage, built by India in Bengal to divert part of the Ganga's flow into the Hooghly river system, remains a major source of contention. Bangladesh has criticized the barrage for reducing dry-season water flows downstream, while India claims that it is a diversion structure designed to channel water into the Farakka canal.

Bangladesh's Demands

Anee outlined several key demands for the new treaty, including:

A guarantee clause to ensure a minimum amount of water during dry seasons
A right-to-information provision in future water-sharing agreements
Restoration of a guarantee clause that was included in the 1977 Ganges treaty but omitted from the 1996 pact
Broader consideration of upstream withdrawals, river health, salinity, and ecological flows

International Involvement

Bangladesh is prepared to approach international forums if necessary to secure a new treaty. Anee expressed hope that India would recognize and respect the rights and sentiments of the Bangladeshi people.

The issue of water sharing has been a key point of contention in bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh, with Dhaka pushing for a renewed pact and New Delhi maintaining that bilateral discussions on renewal had not yet begun.

International Cooperation

Bangladesh shares 54 major rivers with India, and the two countries address water-sharing and river-related matters through the Joint Rivers Commission. In July, India's parliamentary standing committee on external affairs urged the government to begin talks with Bangladesh "without further delay" on renewal of the treaty.

Key Takeaways

Bangladesh is pushing for a guarantee clause in the renewed Ganges Water Treaty with India to ensure a minimum amount of water during dry seasons.
The country is also demanding a right-to-information provision in future water-sharing agreements and restoration of a guarantee clause that was included in the 1977 Ganges treaty.
Bangladesh is prepared to approach international forums if necessary to secure a new treaty and has expressed hope that India will recognize and respect the rights and sentiments of the Bangladeshi people.