Kolkata, March 3: A Bangladeshi delegation from the Joint River Commission (JRC) arrived in West Bengal on Monday to assess the Ganges at Farakka ahead of the renewal of the critical Ganga Water Treaty, set to expire in 2026, a state government official confirmed.
The delegation reached Kolkata and immediately proceeded to the joint observation site at the Farakka Barrage, located in Murshidabad district. The Farakka Barrage plays a significant role in regulating water flow into Bangladesh under the Indo-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty, signed in 1996.
"The Bangladeshi delegation reached Kolkata this morning and immediately left for the joint observation site on the Ganges at Farakka. The Commission will remain in Farakka until March 5," stated an official from the West Bengal Irrigation & Waterways Department.
Established in 1972, the Joint Rivers Commission serves as a bilateral platform to resolve mutual concerns related to 54 shared rivers between India and Bangladesh, as confirmed by India's Ministry of Jal Shakti.
During her last visit to India in June 2024, just weeks before the political upheaval that ended her term in August 2024, Sheikh Hasina and Indian officials had announced that their respective technical teams would soon convene for renewal negotiations.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, Banerjee had protested against what she termed a "unilateral" push to renew the Ganga Water Treaty, alleging that West Bengal had been sidelined in consultations.
However, Union government officials countered these claims, highlighting that West Bengal was actively involved in an internal committee set up by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in July 2023. West Bengal had nominated its representative to this committee in August 2023 and actively participated in three out of four meetings held to date.
These ongoing developments underline the significance of the upcoming Kolkata meetings and their potential implications on Indo-Bangladesh relations and regional water management.
The delegation reached Kolkata and immediately proceeded to the joint observation site at the Farakka Barrage, located in Murshidabad district. The Farakka Barrage plays a significant role in regulating water flow into Bangladesh under the Indo-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty, signed in 1996.
"The Bangladeshi delegation reached Kolkata this morning and immediately left for the joint observation site on the Ganges at Farakka. The Commission will remain in Farakka until March 5," stated an official from the West Bengal Irrigation & Waterways Department.
Key Meetings Scheduled in Kolkata
Following their observations at Farakka, the Bangladeshi officials will return to Kolkata to participate in the 86th meeting of the joint committee on March 6 and 7. This meeting, mandated under the provisions of the 1996 treaty, includes technical discussions within the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission Framework.Established in 1972, the Joint Rivers Commission serves as a bilateral platform to resolve mutual concerns related to 54 shared rivers between India and Bangladesh, as confirmed by India's Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Background and Recent Developments
The Ganga Water Treaty, originally signed on December 12, 1996, by former Indian Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, will lapse in 2026, making current negotiations critical.During her last visit to India in June 2024, just weeks before the political upheaval that ended her term in August 2024, Sheikh Hasina and Indian officials had announced that their respective technical teams would soon convene for renewal negotiations.
West Bengal's Crucial Role
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to be a central figure in the negotiations, especially in the backdrop of her firm opposition to the Teesta River water-sharing agreement, despite its mutually agreed draft between India and Bangladesh dating back to 2011.In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, Banerjee had protested against what she termed a "unilateral" push to renew the Ganga Water Treaty, alleging that West Bengal had been sidelined in consultations.
However, Union government officials countered these claims, highlighting that West Bengal was actively involved in an internal committee set up by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in July 2023. West Bengal had nominated its representative to this committee in August 2023 and actively participated in three out of four meetings held to date.
These ongoing developments underline the significance of the upcoming Kolkata meetings and their potential implications on Indo-Bangladesh relations and regional water management.