[🇧🇩] India's Water Terrorism Against Bangladesh

[Saif]

India's actions are China specific and not Bangladesh specific.

China is the upper not lower riparian country😛

 

[Bilal9]

You can convince China not to build the dam on upstream. Our dam is in reaction to save flooding of down stream area. You have a strategic partnerships with China. If China doesn't build a dam upstream, India will not build it down stream.

Bangladesh govt. for sure is building a catchment reservoir and a dam downstream in both Teesta and Brahmaputra rivers where they enter Bangladesh, to control flooding.

Together with dredging these rivers and their tributaries yearly.

These two dams/barrages will be built by the Chinese and on easy-term loans.

I don't know if even the Ganges/Padma upstream of the Bangladesh border (in India) is ever dredged - forget Teesta and Brahmaputra.

If one builds dams - then that has an effect on upstream siltation and flooding.

This is the reason for the devastating floods in Bihar which happens every year now.

Neetish Kumar asked for decommissioning the Farakka barrage - he thinks that dam is the reason for the floods in Bihar (siltation upstream of Farakka), and he may be right.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Demands Decommissioning Of Farakka Barrage

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today made a strong demand to the centre to decommission the Farakka barrage, saying it has no utility and causes floods in the state every year.

www.ndtv.com

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Bangladesh govt. for sure is building a catchment reservoir and a dam downstream in both Teesta and Brahmaputra rivers where they enter Bangladesh, to control flooding.

Together with dredging these rivers and their tributaries yearly.

These two dams/barrages will be built by the Chinese and on easy-term loans.

I don't know if even the Ganges/Padma upstream of the Bangladesh border (in India) is ever dredged - forget Teesta and Brahmaputra.

If one builds dams - then that has an effect on upstream siltation and flooding.

This is the reason for the devastating floods in Bihar which happens every year now.

Neetish Kumar asked for decommissioning the Farakka barrage - he thinks that dam is the reason for the floods in Bihar (siltation upstream of Farakka), and he may be right.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Demands Decommissioning Of Farakka Barrage

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today made a strong demand to the centre to decommission the Farakka barrage, saying it has no utility and causes floods in the state every year.

www.ndtv.com

The barrage what you claim is being built by BD is not even a peanut to stop Brahmaputra in a possible scenario of release of Brahmaputra water by China. Secondly, once Ganges enters the plane from Himalaya, it travels throughout the plane, and it is not possible to build any big dam in India. Infact, India uses this as water route to transport goods upto Bangladesh. So the theory of India not providing water to BD is baseless. If Pakistan says this, it is understandable as it is possible to stop river water from going to Pakistan which is not possible in case of BD.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

China is the upper not lower riparian country😛

That is what I said.

 

[Saif]

That is what I said.

How can you take action against an upper riparian country?

 

[Krishna with Flute]

How can you take action against an upper riparian country?

We are building a dam with catchment area 2.5X than China. Incase China releases all water of its dam, we can hold it and stop it from flooding India and BD area.

 

[Saif]

We are building a dam with catchment area 2.5X than China. Incase China releases all water of its dam, we can hold it and stop it from flooding India and BD area.

As far as I know, China is spending $137 billion to build the dam. If India wants to build a dam twice as large as the Chinese dam, India would require $274 billion. Is India ready to spend that kind of money to build the dam?

 

[Krishna with Flute]

As far as I know, China is spending $137 billion to build the dam. If India wants to build a dam twice as large as the Chinese dam, India would require $274 billion. Is India ready to spend that kind of money to build the dam?

Give reference of $137 USD spending on one dam.

 

[Saif]

Give reference of $137 USD spending on one dam.

Here is the reference, brother.

China approves world’s largest, $137-billion dam on the Brahmaputra close to the Indian border

China approves construction of world's largest dam on Brahmaputra River in Tibet, raising concerns in India and Bangladesh.

www.thehindu.com

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Here is the reference, brother.

China approves world’s largest, $137-billion dam on the Brahmaputra close to the Indian border

China approves construction of world's largest dam on Brahmaputra River in Tibet, raising concerns in India and Bangladesh.

www.thehindu.com

India’s Response to World’s Largest Dam in China Faces Local Opposition​

The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project will generate electricity and regulate water flow. But locals are angry about government secrecy over the project.

By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
January 08, 2025

Protests against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Credit: Special Arrangement

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Strong protests have erupted in the Indian border state of Arunachal Pradesh against a proposed “multi-purpose project” envisioned as the country’s response to China’s plan to construct the world’s largest dam in Tibet on the same river.

India plans to build the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) on the Siang River. The hydropower project will have an installed capacity of 11,000 megawatts. A reservoir capable of storing 9 billion cubic meters of water is expected to regulate the flow of the river to ensure a constant flow even during dry seasons. It is also envisaged as a buffer in case of excess and sudden water releases from dams in China; the idea is that SUMP would prevent flooding in the downstream areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India, and also Bangladesh.

However, locals are opposed to the project. On December 15, thousands of people peacefully protested in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang and Upper Siang districts. The immediate cause of the protest was the government’s decision to deploy central and state armed police forces ahead of a pre-feasibility survey for the project.

The protests have intensified as a section of the local population believes that the feasibility survey is being conducted secretly. Protestors submitted a petition to the government registering their opposition to the survey and construction of SUMP. They also made a case for a referendum among the population to be affected.

The Siang River originates in Tibet, where it is called the Yarlung Tsangpo. After entering Arunachal Pradesh, it flows down to Assam and is joined by other rivers to form the Brahmaputra. The transboundary river then enters Bangladesh and, after joining the Ganges, goes on to empty its waters in the Bay of Bengal.

Protests against SUMP are not new. They began as early as 2017 when the government announced its plans for the project. The Forum for Siang Dialogue and other civil society organizations had condemned the proposal as a “mad rush and weird dream of making money.”

More recently, on August 31 and October 5 of 2024, protestors hit the streets in several towns in Arunachal to voice their disapproval of SUMP.

During a consultative meeting with government representatives, local civil society organizations expressed their fears of large-scale displacement by the project. “Besides the adverse environmental impact, there will be a demographic change in the region due to the influx of outsiders. The fear among the local populace is very genuine,” said Ebo Mili, lawyer and environmental activist, who was an active participant in the recent protests. Mili was arrested in July along with another activist for their opposition to hydroelectric (hydel) dams in the state.

The government’s earlier plans for dams on the river — the Lower Siang (2,700 megawatts) and the Upper Siang hydroelectric project (3,750 megawatts) — had already sparked resistance that has continued intermittently since then.

An activist who spoke to The Diplomat on condition of anonymity said that “the capacity of the hydel projects was expanded to 11,000 megawatts without proper studies. This is bound to fuel protests.”

China approves world’s largest, $137-billion dam on the Brahmaputra close to the Indian border

China approves construction of world's largest dam on Brahmaputra River in Tibet, raising concerns in India and Bangladesh.

www.thehindu.com

 

[Saif]

India’s Response to World’s Largest Dam in China Faces Local Opposition​

The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project will generate electricity and regulate water flow. But locals are angry about government secrecy over the project.

By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
January 08, 2025

Protests against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Credit: Special Arrangement

Subscribe for ads-free reading
Strong protests have erupted in the Indian border state of Arunachal Pradesh against a proposed “multi-purpose project” envisioned as the country’s response to China’s plan to construct the world’s largest dam in Tibet on the same river.

India plans to build the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) on the Siang River. The hydropower project will have an installed capacity of 11,000 megawatts. A reservoir capable of storing 9 billion cubic meters of water is expected to regulate the flow of the river to ensure a constant flow even during dry seasons. It is also envisaged as a buffer in case of excess and sudden water releases from dams in China; the idea is that SUMP would prevent flooding in the downstream areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India, and also Bangladesh.

However, locals are opposed to the project. On December 15, thousands of people peacefully protested in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang and Upper Siang districts. The immediate cause of the protest was the government’s decision to deploy central and state armed police forces ahead of a pre-feasibility survey for the project.

The protests have intensified as a section of the local population believes that the feasibility survey is being conducted secretly. Protestors submitted a petition to the government registering their opposition to the survey and construction of SUMP. They also made a case for a referendum among the population to be affected.

The Siang River originates in Tibet, where it is called the Yarlung Tsangpo. After entering Arunachal Pradesh, it flows down to Assam and is joined by other rivers to form the Brahmaputra. The transboundary river then enters Bangladesh and, after joining the Ganges, goes on to empty its waters in the Bay of Bengal.

Protests against SUMP are not new. They began as early as 2017 when the government announced its plans for the project. The Forum for Siang Dialogue and other civil society organizations had condemned the proposal as a “mad rush and weird dream of making money.”

More recently, on August 31 and October 5 of 2024, protestors hit the streets in several towns in Arunachal to voice their disapproval of SUMP.

During a consultative meeting with government representatives, local civil society organizations expressed their fears of large-scale displacement by the project. “Besides the adverse environmental impact, there will be a demographic change in the region due to the influx of outsiders. The fear among the local populace is very genuine,” said Ebo Mili, lawyer and environmental activist, who was an active participant in the recent protests. Mili was arrested in July along with another activist for their opposition to hydroelectric (hydel) dams in the state.

The government’s earlier plans for dams on the river — the Lower Siang (2,700 megawatts) and the Upper Siang hydroelectric project (3,750 megawatts) — had already sparked resistance that has continued intermittently since then.

An activist who spoke to The Diplomat on condition of anonymity said that “the capacity of the hydel projects was expanded to 11,000 megawatts without proper studies. This is bound to fuel protests.”

China approves world’s largest, $137-billion dam on the Brahmaputra close to the Indian border

China approves construction of world's largest dam on Brahmaputra River in Tibet, raising concerns in India and Bangladesh.

www.thehindu.com

How much money India is willing to spend on the Indian side of the dam?

 

[Krishna with Flute]

How much money India is willing to spend on the Indian side of the dam?

Some news paper quoted figure of 35000 crore INR

 

[Saif]

SOUTH ASIAN HYDRO-POLITICS: What should Dhaka do for fair share?

SOUTH Asia’s hydro-politics is marked by a complex web of transboundary rivers, riparian positions, and power dynamics, often leading to disputes over water sharing. The situation is particularly strained between India and China concerning the Brahmaputra River and between Bangladesh and India...

www.newagebd.net

SOUTH ASIAN HYDRO-POLITICS: What should Dhaka do for fair share?
Md Shoriful Alom 14 February, 2025, 00:00

Activists of Teesta Banchao Nadi Banchao Sangram Parishad demonstrate on a boat under the Teesta Bridge at Mohipur of Gangachara upazila in Rangpur on November 1, 2020 demanding fair share of Teesta water and steps to ensure navigability. | New Age

SOUTH Asia’s hydro-politics is marked by a complex web of transboundary rivers, riparian positions, and power dynamics, often leading to disputes over water sharing. The situation is particularly strained between India and China concerning the Brahmaputra River and between Bangladesh and India, which share 54 transboundary rivers.

For Bangladesh, the Teesta and Ganges rivers are of primary concern, with equitable water distribution remaining a significant challenge in its relationship with upper-riparian India. As climate change exacerbates water scarcity, the need for fair and sustainable water management becomes ever more critical for regional stability and cooperation. In this context, Bangladesh needs to expand its effort to multi-dimensions – diplomatic negotiations, public diplomacy and search for technological solutions.

South Asian hydro-hegemony

HYDRO-POLITICS in South Asia is largely defined by the dynamic between upper-riparian and lower-riparian countries. The upper riparian state, by virtue of its geographical position, often wields considerable influence over the flow and distribution of water resources. In South Asia, the upper riparian often capitalises on the situation for its own benefit, ignoring the lower riparian’s demand. This power position over the course of water is known as hydro-hegemony, a term coined by prominent Indian scholar Brahma Chellaney while describing hydro-politics between India and China.

While India faces hydro-hegemony from its upper riparian China, in the case of Bangladesh and India, it assumes the same role. India, as the upper riparian country for Bangladesh, holds a position of advantage, enabling it to undertake unilateral projects such as dam construction, flow diversion, and canal digging. These actions often result in adverse consequences for Bangladesh, including overflow during the monsoon season and underflow during the dry summer months, impacting agriculture, livelihoods, and the environment.

Despite existing treaties, such as the Indus Water Treaty between Pakistan and India and the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty between Bangladesh and India, disputes dominate in South Asia’s hydro-politics narratives.

However, cooperation does exist, as the Joint River Commission between Bangladesh and India serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation, but its effectiveness is often hampered by power imbalances and a lack of consensus on equitable water sharing.

Bangladesh-India hydro-relations

THE current state of hydro-relations between Bangladesh and India is characterised by a mix of cooperation and contention. Unilateral decisions by India, such as the recent opening of dam gates without prior notice, have led to devastating floods in Bangladesh, highlighting the vulnerability of the lower-riparian state. The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, a landmark agreement signed in 1996, is set to expire in 2026, necessitating renewal negotiations. While the treaty has provided some benefits to Bangladesh, concerns remain regarding its effectiveness and the need for revisions to address existing flaws and malpractices.

The long-standing Teesta River water-sharing agreement remains elusive, with negotiations stalled due to various challenges emanating from the Indian side, particularly the concerns of West Bengal. This delay has significant implications for northern Bangladesh, where the Teesta River is drying up, leading to environmental degradation, agricultural disposition, and economic hardship.

Key challenges in peaceful water-sharing

THE primary challenges in peaceful water-sharing mostly originate from the Indian side. Its unilateral decisions regarding river basin management capitalising on its riparian position bring adverse impacts for Bangladesh. The ineffectiveness of JRC and lack of strong commitment to existing treaties fail to ensure the proper flow. Furthermore, the variety of stakeholders in India and their diverse interests due to its federalism also contribute to the delay in inking agreements. For instance, while West Bengal opposes the Teesta agreement and has dug multiple canals from Teesta to divert water, Bihar on the other side also faces floods like Bangladesh due to this condition. Lastly, as both India and Bangladesh are not signatories of the UN Convention on International Watercourses, there is no legal compulsion from India to adhere to the international standard here.

What Bangladesh should do?

TO ENSURE its fair share of water resources, Bangladesh must adopt a multi-faceted approach encompassing preparedness for treaty renewal negotiations, a clear stance on the Teesta River agreement, technological interventions, and sound public diplomacy.

Firstly, Bangladesh needs to prepare thoroughly for the renewal negotiations of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, set to expire in 2026. This preparation should involve a comprehensive assessment of the treaty’s performance over the past three decades, identifying any flaws, loopholes, or malpractices that have hindered its effectiveness. Bangladesh must gather credible data and evidence to support its claims for a more equitable water distribution arrangement, taking into account the changing hydrological realities and the impacts of climate change.

Secondly, Bangladesh needs to seek a clear and definitive commitment from India on the Teesta River water-sharing agreement. The prolonged delay in finalising this agreement has caused immense suffering for the people of northern Bangladesh, and India must demonstrate the political will to resolve this issue fairly and equitably. Bangladesh should explore all possible avenues for dialogue and negotiation, including involving neutral third parties or international mediators, if necessary, to break the deadlock and reach a mutually acceptable solution.

Thirdly, Bangladesh should embrace technological interventions to mitigate the impacts of water scarcity and improve water management. The Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, with the help of Chinese technology, represents a significant step in this direction. By leveraging technological solutions, Bangladesh can enhance its water storage capacity, improve irrigation efficiency, and restore the ecological health of its rivers.

Moreover, Bangladesh should explore opportunities for technology transfer and knowledge sharing with other countries facing similar water challenges, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of innovation in water resource management. Given the increasing affordability of technology, Bangladesh can seek technological solutions in other cases as well. Bangladesh’s seeking technological solutions to water-sharing would also serve as a soft deterrence to India’s unilateral decisions and stalling water-sharing agreements. It would also leverage Bangladesh with a geopolitical advantage in regional politics.

Fourthly, Bangladesh may consider signing international instruments on water-sharing and river basin management, such as the UN Convention on International Watercourses and the Berlin Rules of Water Resources, popularly known as the ‘Berlin Agreement’. Signing such conventions would provide Bangladesh with international consensus and introduce international standards in bilateral negotiations with a reference value.

Finally, Bangladesh must pursue sound public diplomacy with India to promote its perception to the people of India, especially in West Bengal. Such a campaign would also help in recognising the importance of maintaining stable and cooperative bilateral relations among the neighbours. While the pursuit of equitable water sharing is a legitimate and non-negotiable objective, it should be pursued through peaceful and constructive means, avoiding any actions that could escalate tensions or undermine trust. Bangladesh should emphasise the shared benefits of cooperation on water management, including flood control, navigation, and environmental protection, and work towards building a relationship based on mutual respect, understanding, and shared prosperity. Despite the present strain in bilateral relations, both countries must emphasise the need for long-term thinking.

To conclude, water will become an important element in South Asian geopolitics in the coming days due to environmental degradation and lack of clean water. The path to equitable water sharing may be fraught with challenges, but with determination, innovation, and sound diplomacy, Bangladesh can overcome these obstacles and secure a sustainable future for itself and its neighbours.

Md Shoriful Alom is a researcher. His areas of interest are South Asian politics and the economic diplomacy of Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

রাতের আধারে তিস্তা বাঁধ খুলে দিলো ভারত !! ফসল রক্ষায় লাখো মানুষের ঢল

 

[Saif]

TEESTA RIVER PROTECTION MOVEMENT: BNP urges India to show goodwill

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged India to demonstrate goodwill towards the people of Bangladesh by ensuring a fair share of Teesta water, halting border killings and refraining from its ‘big brother’ attitude.

www.newagebd.net

TEESTA RIVER PROTECTION MOVEMENT: BNP urges India to show goodwill
Zakir Hossain . Rangpur 18 February, 2025, 00:15

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addresses the inauguration of a 48-hour sit-in of the Teesta River Protection Movement Committee at Teesta railway bridge point in Lalmonirhat on Monday. | Focus Bangla photo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged India to demonstrate goodwill towards the people of Bangladesh by ensuring a fair share of Teesta water, halting border killings and refraining from its ‘big brother’ attitude.

The friendship will be based on mutual respect and interest, he said while addressing as chief guest the inauguration of a 48-hour sit-in programme under the banner of ‘Teesta River protection movement committee’ at Teesta railway bridge point in Lalmonirhat.

‘India does not give our proper share of water in the trans-boundary rivers. Moreover, they are hosting fascist Sheikh Hasina,’ Fakhrul said.

Terming the Teesta River protection movement as a life and death struggle, he urged the interim government to demand the country’s proper share of water from India.

The BNP had always been vocal about Bangladesh’s fair share of water from the trans-boundary rivers, said the party leader, adding that people thought India would give a fair share of river water when its old ally Awami League came to power, but they miserably failed because they had sold the country to India.

He further said that India had erected embankments controlling the water flow of 54 trans-boundary rivers, producing electricity and irrigating their farmland, while severely affecting the lives of people, agriculture and biodiversity in the northern region of Bangladesh.

The party secretary general also addressed the issue of national election at his speech, stating that people were waiting

for exercising their voting rights.

‘We want to elect our leaders through vote. An unstable situation is prevailing now. Peace and law and order will be restored once the elected government comes,’ Fakhrul said.

He urged the interim government to arrange the national polls shortly after necessary reforms.

Demanding the implementation of the Teesta water sharing treaty and mega plan, a 48-hour sit-in programme under the banner of ‘Teesta river protection movement committee’ began on Monday morning simultaneously at 11 points along the Teesta riverbank in five districts—Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Nilphamari, and Gaibandha.

Led by BNP central organising secretary and Lalmonirhat district unit BNP president Principal Asadul Habib Dulu, also the chief coordinator of the programme, the sit-in began at 11:00am across a 230-kilometre stretch along the Teesta.

Chanting ‘Jago Bahe Teesta bachai’ (Wake up! Save the Teesta), thousands of people gathered on the riverbank. Several stages and tents were also set up at the programme venue.

Leaders and activists of various political parties along with the common people joined the sit-in.

Asadul Habib Dulu said that the sit-in was called not by any political parties, organisations or individuals, rather it was a movement of all the deprived people living in the Teesta basin. Thousands of people have gathered voluntarily on both sides of the riverbank in five districts of Rangpur division, he said.

BNP central leaders joined at different points of the sit-in in the five districts.

Acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to address the concluding session virtually tomorrow.​