India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Dispute Resurfaces as Treaty Nears Expiry
Summary
India and Bangladesh are facing renewed tensions over Ganga water sharing as the 1996 treaty nears expiry in December. Dhaka is pushing for a new agreement with a guarantee of minimum water supply, while also seeking wider talks on river ecology and climate impacts.
Key Points
- Bangladesh wants a guarantee provision in the new Ganga treaty to ensure a minimum water supply during dry periods.
- State Minister for Water Resources Zahid Faruk Shamim said Bangladesh may take the issue to international forums if needed.
- The Farakka Barrage and the unresolved Teesta water-sharing issue remain central points of friction between the two countries.
- India has urged treaty renewal discussions to begin, with attention to new hydrological data, climate change and state-level concerns.
