JRC to review condition of 54 transboundary rivers
Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
Members of the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) of Bangladesh and India are set to convene in Kolkata on Thursday for their regular meeting to discuss the implementation of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty and other transboundary river issues.
Sources indicate that the two-day meeting is not directly related to the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty but is part of the routine annual discussions between both nations. However, it has been learned that following the conclusion of the JRC meeting, a new committee will soon be formed to begin work on the treaty’s renewal.
The 30-year Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed on 12th December 1996 by former Indian Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, remains valid until 2026, with provisions for renewal subject to mutual agreement.
Ahead of the JRC meeting, a high-profile technical delegation from Bangladesh arrived in West Bengal on Monday and visited the Ganges at Farakka the same day.
The main discussions will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kolkata, focusing on the implementation of the treaty on Thursday. A technical-level meeting will follow the next day to review the conditions of the 54 transboundary rivers.
“We have already inspected the Farakka Barrage site in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. We are receiving water in accordance with the treaty.
This is a routine meeting,” said Md Abul Hossen, a JRC member leading the Bangladeshi delegation, in a phone conversation with The New Nation on Wednesday.
“The renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty will not be discussed on this occasion. However, during the technical-level meeting, all transboundary river-related issues will be addressed,” he added.
When asked about the technical-level meeting, he stated, “We have several unresolved issues concerning border rivers. Recently, we experienced flooding in the eastern regions, necessitating the reinforcement of embankments on the Muhuri River. These matters will be discussed.”
Regarding the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, he explained, “A high-level committee is required to initiate discussions on this matter. A new joint committee will be formed in this regard upon our return to Dhaka.”
The Ganges Water Treaty is of paramount importance to Bangladesh, as the country’s western region relies heavily on the water flow through the Padma River. A disruption in this flow could severely impact aquatic life and biodiversity.
In addition to the Ganges Water Treaty renewal, Bangladesh is also facing significant hurdles in finalising the Teesta water-sharing agreement. Progress on this deal has been stalled due to India’s internal political dynamics, particularly opposition from the West Bengal government.
As a result of the prolonged delay, Bangladesh’s northern region is struggling with agricultural challenges and biodiversity concerns. The country is advocating for an equitable distribution of Teesta waters to ensure agricultural and economic stability in its northern districts.
The JRC meeting is taking place at a time when Bangladesh-India relations have experienced strains following political changes in Bangladesh, particularly the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in the July-August revolution last year.
Since the formation of the Interim Government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, relations between the two South Asian neighbours have deteriorated. Amidst diplomatic tensions, border disputes have also intensified, with several reported incidents, including the recent killing of a young man at the Brahmanbaria border.
Despite recent high-level discussions between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF), tensions persist, further complicating bilateral relations.
Nonetheless, it is anticipated that the ongoing JRC meeting in Kolkata will pave the way for future negotiations, fostering continued cooperation in transboundary river management despite the broader diplomatic challenges faced by both nations.