Delhi assures renewal of Ganges Treaty
Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
The Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) meeting between Dhaka and Delhi confirmed that Bangladesh continues to receive its fair share of water under the existing Ganges Water Sharing Treaty.
A high-level delegation from Bangladesh, led by JRC member Abul Hossain, held the meeting on September 9 in New Delhi, which was described as part of the routine consultations between the two neighbours.
Speaking to the New Nation on Wednesday, Abul Hossain said the central purpose of the visit was to assess whether Bangladesh was getting its rightful share of water from the Ganges, in line with the provisions of the landmark treaty signed in 1996.
“According to the treaty, we are still receiving our fair share of water.
The treaty remains in effect until next year, and until then, Bangladesh will continue to get water as per the agreement,” he explained.
The treaty, according to the agreement, guarantees Bangladesh a minimum flow of 35,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) of water in alternate 10-day cycles during this critical period.
The 30-year Ganges Treaty, which expires in December 2026, has been a cornerstone of cooperation between Dhaka and New Delhi on transboundary river management.
The treaty allocates water during the dry season (January to May), a period when the river’s flow is at its lowest, and has often been viewed as a test case for equitable sharing of cross-border rivers. Although both countries have faced challenges in managing their water resources, the assurance that Bangladesh is currently receiving its due allocation provides a measure of stability.
For Bangladesh, a downstream nation with 54 rivers flowing in from India, water-sharing remains a matter of livelihood, food security, and ecological balance. Farmers, fishermen, and millions of rural communities are directly dependent on the Ganges during the lean season.
Asked whether discussions were held on the renewal of the treaty beyond its expiry, Hossain said no concrete talks on renewal had taken place during this round of the JRC.
“There has been no discussion yet since we still have time. We will discuss this matter in the next meeting. However, we are hopeful that the treaty will be renewed on time and that Bangladesh will continue to receive its fair share of water from the Ganges,” he said.
When pressed on Bangladesh’s own preparations regarding the duration of a renewed treaty whether the span would remain the same or be increased or decreased, Hossain acknowledged that the issue had not yet been considered.
“This matter has not been thought about. We hope before the next meeting it will be thought through and placed,” he said.
Observers note that the upcoming rounds of talks will be crucial in shaping the future framework of the Ganges Treaty, signed for 30 years.
There is an expectation in Dhaka that the issue will be approached pragmatically, ensuring not only the continuation of Bangladesh’s fair share but also addressing new realities such as climate change, shifting rainfall patterns, and the growing water demand on both sides of the border.
Water-sharing between India and Bangladesh has long been a sensitive issue, often tied to broader questions of bilateral trust and cooperation.
The Ganges Treaty remains the only formal agreement the two countries have on sharing river waters, even though Bangladesh depends on multiple transboundary rivers originating from India.
For now, the assurance that Bangladesh is receiving its rightful share under the existing arrangement is expected to ease domestic anxieties.
But with the treaty approaching its end date, the coming negotiations will carry heavy significance. Dhaka remains hopeful that the spirit of cooperation which led to the 1996 treaty will guide the renewal process, guaranteeing Bangladesh’s equitable access to the Ganges for decades to come.
Asked about if there is no agreement in effect how Bangladesh would get water, Abul Hossain said, “If there is no agreement, then water flow becomes volatile. For example, we don’t have Teesta River agreement, the water flow fluctuate.”
“When the water flow reduces in Teesta River, we write to India or raise voice to increase the water flow. Then the matter is under their consideration,” he added.
“We are hopeful the treaty would be renewed. Indian side has assured us both officially and unofficially that the agreement would be renewed,” he said.