India Bangladesh Ganges Water Treaty
This comprehensive bilateral treaty was signed by Indian Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed on 12 December 1996 in the Indian capital New Delhi. The treaty established a 30-year water-sharing arrangement and recognised Bangladesh's rights as a lower-level riparian.
As per the 1996 treaty for sharing the Ganges waters at Farakka, the division is as follows:
| Availability at Farakka | Share of India | Share of Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| 70,000 cusecs or less | 50% | 50% |
| 70,000 – 75,000 cusecs | Balance of the flow | 35,000 cusecs |
| 75,000 cusecs or more | 40,000 cusecs | Balance of the flow |
Both nations were able to co-operate in harnessing the water resources; the treaty also permits the construction of barrages and irrigation projects in Kushtia and the Gorai-Madhumati River in Bangladesh, draining the south-western districts and thus preserving the environment, natural and economic resources.
India's Core Concerns
- Outdated and Rigid Formula: The current water-sharing arrangement relies on historical flow data from 1949 to 1988, which India views as rigid and failing to account for modern climate change and shifting hydrological realities.
- Upstream State Demands (West Bengal & Bihar):
- West Bengal argues that the current formula disadvantages local farmers and reduces water flow necessary to clear silt and maintain operations at the Kolkata Port.
- Bihar contends that the operation of the Farakka Barrage raises upstream riverbeds, worsens monsoon floods, and drains the state's water resources during lean seasons to meet downstream quotas.
- Rising Domestic Needs: India is pressing for a shorter, more flexible agreement with real-time adjustments to better support domestic irrigation, industrial growth, and power generation (such as NTPC operations).
- Geopolitical and Security Shifts: Evolving political dynamics in Dhaka, alongside overlapping regional security considerations near the Siliguri Corridor, add strategic complexity to the upcoming negotiations.
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