What happened?
A high-level delegation from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Irrigation, led by Joint River Commission member Mohammad Abdul Hossain, will arrive in Kolkata on 3 March 2025 for a five-day visit. The delegation will examine the Farakka Barrage on 5 March and hold high-level meetings with Indian officials on 6-7 March to discuss the renewal of the Ganga Water Treaty. The treaty, signed in 1996, is set to expire next year, and Bangladesh is expected to push for increased water allocation. India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti has requested additional security arrangements for the delegation during its visit.
Why it matters to India:
Water-sharing has long been a contentious issue in India-Bangladesh relations, with past disputes over the Teesta River agreement still unresolved. Bangladesh’s request for additional Ganges water could face opposition from the West Bengal government, which has previously resisted similar agreements due to resource constraints. Any friction over the treaty could impact broader India-Bangladesh ties, which also include trade and security cooperation. The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial in determining the future of water diplomacy between the two neighbours.
