An eleven-member Bangladeshi delegation will arrive in India on March 3 for the 86th meeting of the joint committee of technical experts working in the direction of renewing the Ganga water-sharing treaty between the two South Asian neighbours.
An eleven-member Bangladeshi delegation will arrive in India on March 3 for the 86th meeting of the joint committee of technical experts working in the direction of renewing the Ganga water-sharing treaty between the two South Asian neighbours. The meeting, scheduled to take place in Kolkata, is part of ongoing discussions under the India-Bangladesh Joint River Commission (JRC). The delegation, led by Muhammad Abul Hossen, a key member of the JRC, will also visit the joint observation site at Farakka before attending the official meeting in Kolkata on March 6-7.
The Ganga, one of 54 rivers shared between the two neighbours, has long been a point of contention. The landmark Ganga Waters Treaty, signed in December 1996 by then Indian Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, provided a framework for equitable water-sharing. With the treaty set to expire in 2026, both nations are now engaging in technical discussions to renew the agreement.
The upcoming discussions in Kolkata will focus on reviewing the treaty’s implementation, evaluating water flow data, and addressing concerns raised by both sides. A critical component of the meeting will be the visit to the Farakka Barrage, a major control structure that regulates the Ganga’s flow into Bangladesh. Experts will assess whether the current allocation mechanism remains effective or requires amendments to accommodate changing water demands.
According to a letter signed by RR Sambharia, senior joint commissioner (flood management) with the government of India, the two-day deliberations in Kolkata will include Bangladeshi officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Water Resources, are expected to raise concerns regarding water availability, particularly during the dry season when flows are typically low.
Dispute Over Ganga Water Sharing
The water-sharing dispute between India and Bangladesh has been a longstanding issue. While various agreements have been made over the decades, the 1996 treaty was the most comprehensive, guaranteeing Bangladesh a fair share of the Ganga water. The Farakka Barrage, built in 1974 by India, has been a central point of contention as it diverts water to the Hooghly River to prevent siltation at Kolkata Port.
Bangladeshi officials say that the country has often expressed concerns that excessive water diversion upstream negatively impacts its agriculture, fisheries, and overall ecosystem. Past attempts at negotiation were frequently stalled due to political changes and diplomatic tensions. However, with Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India in June 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to renewing the treaty through technical discussions. That, however is the past for Bangladesh, because Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in the later part of 2024.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to play a significant role in shaping India’s stance on the treaty renewal. While she has consistently opposed the Teesta River water-sharing agreement, Banerjee has also raised concerns about the Ganga treaty, arguing that the West Bengal government was not adequately consulted.
In a letter to Prime Minister Modi last year, Banerjee criticised what she called a “unilateral” approach to the treaty renewal. However, Indian officials in New Delhi have countered her claims, pointing out that an internal committee formed by the Jal Shakti Ministry in July 2023 included representatives from both Bihar and West Bengal. West Bengal participated in three of the committee’s four meetings and submitted a formal communication outlining its water needs for drinking and industrial purposes.
The internal committee submitted its final report on June 14, 2024, paving the way for the upcoming bilateral discussions.
The Road Ahead
One of the main challenges in renewing the treaty will be balancing India’s internal water demands with Bangladesh’s growing needs. Climate change and irregular monsoon patterns have further complicated the situation, making water flow projections increasingly unpredictable.
Both nations have emphasised the importance of cooperation in managing shared water resources. While the 1996 treaty significantly improved relations between India and Bangladesh, experts believe that a renewed treaty must incorporate updated hydrological data, climate change adaptation strategies, and mechanisms for dispute resolution to prevent future conflicts.
For Bangladesh, securing an equitable share of the Ganga’s water is crucial for sustaining its agricultural sector, which heavily relies on the river. India, on the other hand, has to navigate domestic political concerns, particularly in West Bengal and Bihar, where water-sharing decisions directly impact local populations.
As Bangladesh and India prepare to engage in technical discussions, the success of these negotiations will play a crucial role in shaping the future of their water-sharing relationship. The outcomes of the Kolkata meeting could determine whether both nations move toward a cooperative agreement or face renewed tensions over water resources.
The 86th meeting of the joint technical experts is expected to lay the groundwork for a formal treaty renewal process ahead of the 2026 deadline. Given the complex history of water disputes between the two nations, continued diplomatic engagement and technical collaboration will be essential in ensuring a fair and sustainable solution for both sides, officials say.
