‘Structured Mechanism’ In Place To Deal With Ganga Water Treaty: India, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Ganga Water Treaty between India and Bangladesh is scheduled to expire on December 12, 2026.
• India's External Affairs Ministry confirmed the existence of a "structured mechanism" to address the treaty's requirements.
• This mechanism is the Joint Rivers Commission, which facilitates discussions on all cross-boundary rivers between the two nations.
• India has extended an invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for a visit to New Delhi.
• The original 30-year agreement was signed in 1996 when Sheikh Hasina first became Bangladesh's Prime Minister.
• Bangladesh anticipates an automatic short-term renewal of the treaty, although India has not yet indicated this.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Ganga Water Treaty specifically governs the sharing of Ganga waters at the Farakka Barrage during the dry season, from January 1 to May 31 each year.
• The treaty incorporates a formula-based schedule for water distribution and includes an institutional mechanism for monitoring its implementation.
• The Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) was established in 1972 to foster cooperation on shared water resources, flood control, and irrigation between India and Bangladesh.
• While India and Bangladesh share 54 transboundary rivers, the Ganga Water Treaty remains the sole bilateral water-sharing agreement in effect.
• Bangladesh is advocating for a new or revised agreement that would include a guarantee clause for its share of dry-season water.
• India aims to maintain a positive, forward-looking, and constructive relationship with Bangladesh.
• India is also monitoring the internal situation in Bangladesh, including protests by readymade garment workers demanding fair wages amidst high inflation and an electricity crisis.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ganga Water Treaty: A 1996 bilateral agreement between India and Bangladesh for sharing the Ganga River's waters at Farakka during the dry season.
• Joint Rivers Commission (JRC): A bilateral body established in 1972 by India and Bangladesh to manage and discuss issues related to common river systems.
• Transboundary Rivers: Rivers that flow across the political boundaries of two or more countries, necessitating international cooperation for their management.
• Farakka Barrage: A barrage on the Ganga River in West Bengal, India, crucial for diverting water and central to the water-sharing agreement with Bangladesh.