Bangladesh-India begins crucial talks on Ganges water sharing at Farakka

A seven-member delegation from Bangladesh arrived in Farakka on Monday evening to attend the annual meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Commission, which focuses on the Ganges water-sharing agreement. 

A six-member delegation from India also reached the location at the same time. 

This meeting marks the first significant discussion on water-sharing between the two countries since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, making it a crucial diplomatic engagement. 

The Bangladeshi delegation, led by Mohammad Abul Hossain, will participate in a series of meetings from March 4 to March 7.

The primary agenda of this visit revolves around the Ganges River‍‍`s water-sharing discussions. 

The teams of experts from both countries are currently in Farakka, where they began inspecting several areas of the Ganges on Tuesday to assess the river‍‍`s current water levels.

According to the Indian side, this meeting is intended as an expert consultation to analyze the condition of the Ganges before making any decisions about water allocation. 

Representatives from both nations will later reconvene on March 6 and 7 in Kolkata to continue discussions on how the water will be distributed in the coming months.

Mohammad Abul Hossain, leader of the Bangladeshi delegation and a member of the Joint Rivers Commission, explained the nature of the meeting to DW, saying, 

"This is a routine meeting. Every year, experts from both sides observe the water levels of the Ganges and make certain decisions. Last year, we had a similar meeting in March."

Renewing the 1996 Ganges Water-Sharing Agreement: When and How?

The 1996 Ganges Water-Sharing Agreement between Bangladesh and India is set to expire in 2026, making the current discussions even more significant. 

4Reliable sources suggest that a joint committee with representatives from both countries will soon be formed to focus on renewing the agreement.

A Bangladeshi delegation member revealed, “This committee will be responsible for renewing the Ganges Water-Sharing Agreement. 

During her 2024 visit to India, Bangladesh‍‍`s then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly agreed to this initiative. 

The new Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh has confirmed that this decision will remain unchanged.”

Since 1996, this meeting will mark the 86th of its kind. 

In the coming months, a team from India is also expected to visit Bangladesh as part of the ongoing water-sharing discussions. 

The current condition of the Ganges will help determine how water will be distributed under the agreement.

Other Key Issues on the Agenda

While the spotlight remains on Ganges water-sharing, the discussions between India and Bangladesh are expected to cover more than just that.

Following the water-sharing talks on March 6, additional discussions are set to take place between the delegations. 

Topics on the agenda include data-sharing agreements, flood reporting, and bilateral plans for rivers that form the border between the two countries. 

Sources have indicated that 12 representatives from each country will be attending these talks.

Bangladeshi experts, alongside their Indian counterparts, began their fieldwork on March 4, inspecting multiple regions in Farakka, especially focusing on water supply issues. 

After the field assessments, the formal water-sharing discussions will resume in Kolkata on March 6 and 7.

Despite the focus on the Ganges, it has been confirmed that there will be no discussions on other rivers, such as the Teesta, during this visit.

The trip is exclusively dedicated to Ganges-related issues.

The Current Water-Sharing Agreement

The current agreement stipulates that when the Ganges River has a flow exceeding 75,000 cusecs, India will receive 40,000 cusecs of water, and Bangladesh will receive 35,000 cusecs. 

If the water flow is between 70,000 and 75,000 cusecs, Bangladesh will still receive 40,000 cusecs, with the remaining portion going to India.

Should the water level drop below 70,000 cusecs, the available water will be divided equally between the two nations.

Arrival of the Bangladeshi Delegation

Aside from Mohammad Abul Hossain, the Bangladeshi delegation includes notable officials such as Mohammad Abu Sayeed, Mohammad Anwar Kadir, Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, Kazi Shahidur Rahman, and Mohammad Sajjad Hossain. 

They reached Kolkata on Monday and traveled to Farakka via the Shatabdi Express, arriving at 6:30 PM.

The Bangladeshi representatives were warmly received at Farakka by RR Deshpande, General Manager of the Farakka Barrage. 

As a welcoming gesture, bouquets were presented to the Bangladeshi team.

Indian delegates arrived on the same train, though no formal meetings were held that evening. 

The following day, the teams from both nations began their joint assessments of the Ganges River’s current condition, as planned.