The year 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of friendship between India and Bangladesh and the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. By sharing a 4096 km long porous border and 54 river waters, Bangladesh is not only culturally associated but also geo-strategically and geo-economically significant for India. Yet, the two countries have had a roller-coaster relationship. Undeniably, there is a huge scope for development that needs consistent efforts from both sides. One of them is the river water sharing issue. This has been an irritant that often bothers both nations. Nevertheless, to consolidate bilateral ties, both countries recently signed an interim water-sharing agreement for the Kushiyara River in September 2022, benefitting regions of India and Bangladesh in the Southern part of Assam and Sylhet, respectively[i]. Furthermore, the two countries are also gearing up the draft framework of the interim water-sharing agreements for the Feni, Manu, Muhri, Khowal, Gumti, Jaldhaka and Torsa rivers [ii]. These are a few groundbreaking initiatives taken forward by India and Bangladesh lately.
Undoubtedly, resolving the river water issue is an arduous task since utilisation is an emotive matter and very close to people’s hearts. Like any other lower riparian state, Bangladesh constantly has qualms on the intent of upper riparian, India for its way of controlling the flow of river water[iii]. Hence, India needs to undo these doubts from the minds of Bangladeshi people to build further trust.
Since inception, India and Bangladesh have built many collaborative platforms to address river water-sharing. Firstly, both countries formed the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) way back in 1972 to exploit the optimum utilisation of the water resources[iv]. Later in 1996, they signed the Ganga/Ganges Water Sharing Treaty for thirty years. The treaty was agreed upon in two aspects: i) to end the differences between India and Bangladesh, and ii) to determine the amount of river water India is releasing to Bangladesh at the Farakka Barrage dam[v]. Nevertheless, Bangladesh claims that they are not equally benefited from the treaty from the period between 1997-2016 as they received river water less than 65% of the time, especially during the lean seasons, when there is a high demand for water[vi].
Another concern that bothers bilateral issues is the Teesta River water-sharing dispute. Eleven years after the 1996 Ganga/Ganges Treaty, both countries were able to produce an ad-hoc arrangement on the Teesta River, which India agreed to have 39 per cent of water and Bangladesh 36 per cent[vii]. However, no improvement could be reached in the negotiation process to effectively implement the same. In 2011, both countries have reviewed the Teesta River issue, and India agreed to share 37.5 per cent of water with Bangladesh, and 42.5 per cent in the dry season, especially between December and March[viii]. However, due to considerably reduced water level, the West Bengal Chief Minister opposed the proposal and further stated that sharing Teesta water with Bangladesh would not suffice for the state’s agricultural needs.[ix]Therefore, the Teesta River water dispute remains a bone of contention between India and Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, ‘Maitri Setu’ aka India-Bangladesh friendship bridge built on the trans-boundary Feni River was inaugurated by the leaders of both nations on 9 March 2021, given the urgent need for water for irrigation of Tripura[x]. In the subsequent year, Bangladeshi delegate Mr Zaheed Farooque, State Minister for Water Resources met Indian delegate Shri Gajendra Singh, Union Minister for Jal Shakti, and addressed the river water issues in the 38th Meeting of Ministerial level Joint Rivers Commission held in New Delhi after a break of twelve years[xi] In the meeting, both sides settled the ‘design and location of water intake point on the Feni River’ to facilitate drinking water supply scheme of Sabroom, Tripura[xii] and further agreed to withdraw 1.82 cusecs of water temporarily[xiii]. In September of the same year, both countries again settled to withdraw up to 153 cusecs of water each from the common border of the Kushiyara River to prevent water scarcity in the dry season, especially for water consumption.[xiv] The current Prime Ministers of both countries are putting heart and soul to reinvigorate bilateral ties by circumventing all odds and focussing more on the solutions of the water-sharing issue.
River waters remain essential for both India and Bangladesh, not just for agricultural purposes, but also to improve the inland water connectivity. Moreover, the two countries can unlock a vast potential in India’s Northeast region by utilising riverine resources and endorsing sustainable development by engaging multiple stakeholders. Nevertheless, there are a few concerns of Bangladesh that India needs to consider seriously. Firstly, the decreasing river water flow after building the Farakka Barrage has led to environmental problems due to increasing salinity levels and further drying up of the Sunderbans Delta. Secondly, being a lower riparian, most of the sediments or discharges brought down by rivers affect the biodiversity of Bangladesh, especially several wetland ecosystems and climate change.[xv]. It will have a domino effect in other aspects, such as decreasing productivity, change in the natural resources on land, agricultural lands, fisheries, navigation and sanitisation. This multiplies the increasing plight of the people of Bangladesh, which could affect other security aspects such as food, human security and unemployment [xvi]. The last but not the least is the portrayal of India being a ‘water hegemon’[xvii] by Bangladesh. It is therefore high time that India adopts hydro-diplomacy to engage with Bangladesh when renewing agreements on river water treaties. The unresolved Teesta agreement leads to unnecessary criticism of India and its Neighbourhood First Policy.
Resolving water issues can be a win-win proposition, as it can win people’s hearts and minds and build trust. Thus, water security is vital to maintaining a more cordial relationship and strengthen both countries’ political and economic links while bringing social stability.
Some of the key recommendations are there:
- Both countries could resolve the river water issue scientifically or geologically at an urgent basis
- A committee should be formed to review/renew the river treaties/agreements from time to time
- Both countries should adopt a cooperative approach and maintain a healthy relationship
- Focus should be not just on water but also on other critical issues such as forests, wetlands and hydrological system.
Endnotes
[i] “India, Bangladesh sign first sharing water pact in 25 years” (2022), The Economic Times, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/india-bangladesh-sign-first-water-sharing-pact-in-25-years/articleshow/94035253.cms, Accessed 30 May 2023
[ii] Ibid
[iii] Sreeradha Datta (2023), “India-Bangladesh: Convergence of Interests” in Shalini Chawla (edt) ( 2023), “India’s Neighbourhood: Challenges and Opportunities”, New Delhi: KW Publishers
[iv] “Department of Water Resources, River Department and Ganga Rejuvenation”, 03 January 2023, https://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/indo-bangladesh-cooperation/#:~:text=An%20Indo-Bangladesh%20Joint%20Rivers,Ministers%20of%20both%20the%20countries. , Accessed 29 March 2023
[v] N1
[vi] Kazi Sidur et al. (2019), “A Critical Review of the Ganges Water Sharing Arrangement”, Water Policy, 259-276
[vii] Anuttama Banerjee (2021), “India Must Settle the Teesta River Water Dispute With Bangladesh for Lasting Gains”, The Diplomat, https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/india-must-settle-the-teesta-river-dispute-with-bangladesh-for-lasting-gains/, Accessed 1 June 2023
[viii] Ibid
[ix]Pranay Sharma (2022), “Teesta River dispute Mamata Banerjee’s Stance may Pour cold water on warming India-Bangladesh ties”, https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/current-affairs-trends/teesta-river-dispute-mamata-banerjees-stance-may-pour-cold-water-on-warming-india-bangladesh-ties-9140031.html, Accessed 25 June 2023
[x] Syed Sajjad Ali (2021), “Modi Inaugurates ‘Maitri Setu’ between India and Bangladesh”, The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-inaugurates-maitre-setu-betwen-india-and-bangladesh/article34026410.ece Accessed 30 June 2023
[xi] https://mowr.nic.in/core/WebsiteUpload/2023/2023011877.pdf, Accessed 29 March, 2023
[xii] Abhijit Nath (2022), “Tripura: India, Bangladesh Finalizes Design & Location of Water-Intake Point on Feni River”, Northeast Today, https://www.northeasttoday.in/2022/08/26/tripura-india-bangladesh-finalizes-design-location-of-water-intake-point-on-feni-river/, Accessed 7 June 2023
[xiii] “The Spirit of 1971: On India-Bangladesh relations (2022)”, The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/the-spirit-of-1971-the-hindu-editorila-on-india-bangladesh-relations/article65861643.ece, Accessed 5 June 2023
[xiv] Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation: Indo-Bangladesh Cooperation”, https://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/indo-bangladesh-cooperation/ , Accessed 30 May 2023
[xv] Ranjit Barthakur (2022), “India and Bangladesh’s cross-border water diplomacy an opportunity”, Deccan Herald, https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/panorama/india-and-bangladeshs-cross-border-water-diplomacy-an-opportunity-1130076.html, Accessed 31 May 2023
[xvi] Lovelle, Madeleine. “India, Bangladesh and the Farakka Barrage.” Future Directions International, Future Directions, 10 May 2016, www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/india-bangladesh-farakka-barrage/ Accessed 3 June 2023
[xvii] Jayadeva Ranade (ed) (2023), Startegic Challenges India in 2030, Haryana, India: Harper Collins
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