India and Bangladesh to hold talks on water sharing, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The India-Bangladesh Joint River Commission will meet in Delhi on Tuesday to discuss water sharing issues.
• Bangladesh plans to raise concerns about the water sharing of 14 cross-border rivers.
• Discussions will serve as preparation for the renewal of the Ganga Waters Agreement of 1996 next year.
• Bangladesh seeks a longer time frame for the next renewal of the treaty and changes in water usage on the Indian side.

Detailed Insights:

• The Ganga Waters Agreement of 1996 was signed during Sheikh Hasina’s first term and is up for renewal after 30 years.
• Bangladesh is expected to request a special mechanism to manage the waters of 14 rivers, including the Muhuri, Khowai, Gomti, Dharla, and Doodhkumar.
• Dhaka is also seeking India’s support to establish a joint flood forecasting mechanism to mitigate flood-related disasters.
• The meeting occurs amidst ongoing tensions, with Bangladesh preparing for its first election since August 2024.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Joint River Commission: A bilateral mechanism between countries to discuss and resolve issues related to transboundary rivers.
• Water Sharing Agreement: An agreement between countries on the allocation and use of water resources from shared rivers.
• Flood Forecasting: The use of data and models to predict and provide early warnings about potential flooding events.