Govt hopes for renewal as Dec deadline looms
The government remains hopeful that the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India will be renewed before its expiry on December 12, as the government prepares to negotiate an arrangement that addresses the country’s water requirements and protects its national interests.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday said a government-appointed committee, led by Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and involving the economic affairs authorities, would lead the negotiations with India, with representation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She said discussions on the treaty had already taken place at different levels and expressed confidence that India would take what she described as the right decision.
“We hope that the discussions will be fruitful and that the treaty, which is expiring this year, will be renewed. We believe and hope that this will happen,” Shama told journalists after returning from a bilateral and multilateral visit to Spain and the United Kingdom.
Asked whether the government was seeking a renewal of the existing agreement or negotiating a completely new one, she said the committee would determine the approach based on Bangladesh’s legitimate demands and the needs of its people.
“We will proceed with the negotiations in a way that reflects our legitimate demands and what is necessary for Bangladesh and its people.
We will take the decision that best addresses our water problems and serves the country’s future interests,” she said.
The 30-year Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed on December 12, 1996, is due to expire on December 12 this year.
The agreement governs the sharing of the river’s water between the two countries during the dry season, particularly from January to May, through allocations at India’s Farakka Barrage.
The approaching deadline has made water diplomacy a significant test for Dhaka-New Delhi relations, particularly as Bangladesh seeks stronger safeguards against declining dry-season flows.
The government’s position has also become more specific in recent months. Water Resources Minister Anee has said Dhaka wants a new or revised, preferably longer-term agreement rather than simply extending the existing arrangement.
Restoring a guarantee clause similar to the one included in the 1977 agreement is among country’s principal priorities.
India, meanwhile, has maintained that river-related issues between the two countries should be addressed through the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC). Its position has been reiterated by the Ministry of External Affairs, including during briefings in September and October.
Alongside the Ganges negotiations, Shama discussed Bangladesh’s preparations for the upcoming COP31 climate conference, saying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would attend its two-day high-level segment.
She said Bangladesh would use the international platform to highlight its achievements in climate resilience and the country’s efforts to address the consequences of climate change despite contributing very little to global carbon emissions.
“Although Bangladesh has almost no contribution to carbon emissions, we are ultimately among those suffering most from their consequences,” she said.
Dhaka would seek climate finance in the form of grants rather than loans, arguing that countries responsible for a larger share of global emissions should be held accountable for supporting vulnerable nations.
Her comments followed a meeting with Rachel Kyte, the UK’s Special Representative for Climate, in London on October 29.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the discussions covered climate adaptation, resilience, access to climate finance, renewable energy transition, carbon markets and investment opportunities in the green and blue economy. Both sides also exchanged views on the disproportionate effects of climate change on women and children.
During her visit to Spain, Shama attended the third Spain-Bangladesh Expo 2026 in Seville, organised by the Spain-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
She described the exhibition as successful, highlighting the participation of Spanish and Bangladeshi businesspeople and representatives of the regional government.
“I have particularly tried to promote jute, and the discussions were very fruitful.
They expressed strong interest in foreign direct investment in Bangladesh and in working more closely with us,” she said.
Responding to another question, Shama said Bangladesh’s diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia was maintaining communication with the Saudi authorities over the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Makkah on October 14.
“We are continuing communication through our mission with Saudi Arabia. We hope to receive some information from them soon. The process is ongoing, and it is taking time,” she said.
Bangladesh had earlier sought details of the cases, copies of the court verdicts and an explanation for why neither the Foreign Ministry nor the Bangladesh mission was informed before the executions.
The two nationals were executed after being convicted under Saudi law in connection with an alleged offence inside a mosque in Makkah.
The issue has raised questions about consular notification and the protection of Bangladeshi citizens facing criminal proceedings abroad.
