Diplomatic Correspondent :
Bangladesh has urged India to initiate discussions on renewing the Ganges Water Treaty and reviving the stalled SAARC Summit to strengthen mutual and regional cooperation.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain made these remarks during a discussion with his Indian counterpart, Dr S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman, held from 16-17 February, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The event was organised by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman in collaboration with the Indian government and the India Foundation.
The theme of the 8th IOC was “Voyage of New Horizons of Maritime Partnership”. Adviser Touhid Hossain spoke at a plenary session on ‘Strengthening Maritime Supply Chains’.
During the meeting, both sides discussed a range of bilateral issues of mutual interest. Recalling their last meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA in September 2024, they noted several subsequent bilateral engagements, including Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and India at the level of Foreign Secretaries in Dhaka on 9 December 2024, Energy Adviser of Bangladesh’s participation at India Energy Week in New Delhi on 10-11 February 2025 and upcoming meeting of the Directors General of Border Guarding Forces of both countries, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from 18-20 February 2025, where border-related issues are expected to be discussed and resolved.
Both sides acknowledged the challenges in their bilateral relationship and stressed the need for continued cooperation to address them.
The Foreign Affairs Adviser emphasised the urgency of initiating discussions on renewing the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which was signed on 12 December 1996 in New Delhi between former Indian Prime Minister Deve Gowda and former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The treaty, which established a 30-year water-sharing arrangement recognising Bangladesh’s rights as a lower riparian country, is set to expire in 2026.
Touhid Hossain also highlighted the importance of restarting the SAARC Standing Committee meeting and urged India to consider supporting the initiative.
The 19th SAARC Summit, originally scheduled to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, in November 2016, was postponed following an attack on an Indian army camp in Kashmir. Since then, there has been no progress in resuming the summit.
The Interim Government of Bangladesh, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, is advocating for renewed efforts to unite South Asian nations under a common platform for regional cooperation and shared economic benefits.
Highlighting the significance of the Indian Ocean Conference, Touhid Hossain addressed the complex challenges affecting maritime supply chains, calling for a holistic and collaborative approach to enhance their efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
He also stressed the need to ease visa and administrative procedures for seafarers, ensuring better facilities for them as they play a crucial role in maintaining maritime trade and connectivity.
Ministerial delegations from over 30 countries, as well as representatives from regional organisations including SAARC, BIMSTEC, and IORA, attended the conference.
On the sidelines, the Foreign Affairs Adviser also held meetings with the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tanzania.
Discussions covered various matters of mutual interest. Additionally, he is scheduled to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman on 17 February.
