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Bangladesh and India Ganges water treaty negotiations

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2026-10-31 10:02 UTC → 2026-11-04 05:09 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The 1996 Ganges Water Treaty, which governs dry-season water allocations at the Farakka Barrage, is set to expire on December 12. Bangladesh is urging India to negotiate a renewal to prevent freshwater shortages for over 50 million people and to protect the Sundarbans mangrove forest ecosystem. Within India, political leaders in Bihar are advocating for the treaty to address the state’s agricultural, industrial, and drinking water needs. Domestic political tension has emerged regarding the negotiations. Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party, has called for a fair water-sharing agreement and threatened protests if the renewal does not protect Bangladesh’s interests. ~~Additionally,~~ Islam has also accused the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of attempting to facilitate an illegal Indian transit corridor through Bangladesh. As the December deadline approaches, the Bangladeshi government has formed a committee to lead negotiations, involving the Water Resources Minister and Finance Adviser. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam stated that the government will prioritize long-term national interests and legitimate water requirements. On the Indian side, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that the Joint Rivers Commission remains the established mechanism for managing shared river concerns. India has invited Prime Minister Rahman to New Delhi for discussions, though official dates for the visit have not been announced.

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