New Delhi, June 2: The Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasized on Tuesday that a bilateral system is in place to address issues related to shared rivers between India and Bangladesh. The ministry stated that matters concerning the Ganga water sharing treaty will be considered under the existing cooperation framework.
During a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to questions regarding recent comments made by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, concerning the Ganga water sharing agreement.
Jaiswal noted, “There are 54 rivers that flow between India and Bangladesh, and we have a Joint River Commission that manages all river-related issues between the two countries. We will also address these matters as part of our structured bilateral cooperation on rivers.”
Reports indicate that Alamgir stated that the future of strong relations between Bangladesh and India hinges on the renewal of the Ganga water sharing agreement, commonly known as the Farakka Treaty, which is set to expire in December 2026.
The current Ganga water sharing treaty was signed between India and Bangladesh in 1996 and is considered a diplomatic success. It provided a 30-year framework for sharing Ganga water during challenging dry seasons (January-May).
The implementation of the treaty is overseen by a Joint Commission based on a 10-day flow measurement at Farakka, which is also responsible for resolving disputes. Under specific conditions, the treaty guarantees a minimum of 35,000 cusecs of water for each country during the 10-day flow measurement period.
While the treaty has alleviated tensions, its implementation has faced several challenges. Climate change, glacial retreat, and increasing water usage in upstream Indian states have led to reduced river flow during dry seasons, making it more difficult to meet water allocation commitments.
Bangladesh has frequently accused India of providing less water than its share, particularly during drought years, while India cites hydrological difficulties. With the Ganga water treaty set to expire at the end of this year, its renewal is expected to be a critical issue in bilateral discussions between India and Bangladesh.
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