[🇧🇩] India's Water Terrorism Against Bangladesh

[Saif]

Call resonates to sign basin-based water treaties with India

Breaking News, International News & Multimedia

thedailynewnation.com

Call resonates to sign basin-based water treaties with India
19 May 2024, 1:55 am

Staff Reporter :

A discussion meeting held on Saturday at the Jatiya Press Club commemorated the historic Farakka Long March, led by the late Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.

Speakers at the event, organized by the International Farakka Committee (IFC), highlighted the vital role of river waters in safeguarding Bangladesh's existence and sovereignty.

The discussions revolved around the impact of the Farakka Barrage, constructed by India on the Ganges River.

Speakers recalled that in May 1976, just months before his passing, Maulana Bhasani led a historic Long March demanding an end to India's unilateral withdrawal of Ganges water.

Concerns were raised about India opening the Farakka Barrage on a trial basis without a formal agreement for water sharing on this transboundary river.

This unilateral action, speakers noted, resulted in a significant decrease in water flow reaching Bangladesh, severely impacting agriculture, fisheries, and riverine transportation.

The Farakka Long March, however, is remembered as a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's history.

The movement fostered national unity and garnered international support for Bangladesh's water rights. This collective effort ultimately led to the signing of the first Ganges Water Sharing Treaty in 1977.

The discussion featured prominent figures, including Jatiya Party Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider as the chief guest.

Writer Siraj Uddin Sathi, Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu (President of Bhasani Anusari Parishad), Mostafizur Rahman Iran (Chairman of Bangladesh Labour Party), Gaziul Hasan Khan (former Chief Editor of BSS), and Rashed Prodhan (JAGPA senior vice-president) all participated in the event, chaired by IFC Coordinator Mostafa Kamal Majumder.

Speakers underscored that the importance of the Farakka Long March resonates more than ever today. The speakers further said that Bangladesh faces a new challenge as water diversion upstream on 54 out of 57 rivers are shared with India. This unilateral withdrawal is causing rivers like the Teesta to dry up, devastating agricultural yields and livelihoods.

Jatiya Party Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, delivering the keynote address, emphasized the critical threat, he said, "India's actions are destroying Bangladesh's rivers and water resources, leading to desertification." He urged for national unity to confront this challenge. "Our lands are shaped by rivers," he declared. "Water and sovereignty are one and the same."

Dr. Mostafizur Rahman echoed these concerns, highlighting the dire consequences of water withdrawal from Bangladesh's shared rivers. He stressed the importance of educating younger generations about the significance of the Farakka Long March.

Siraj Uddin Sathi spoke about the necessity of national unity in securing Bangladesh's water rights. He pointed out a concerning disparity: "India has voices raised against the Farakka Barrage, while Bangladesh seems silent on the issue."

The impending expiration of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty in 2026 and the lack of a Teesta River agreement were also addressed. Speakers urged the government to leverage national consensus in pursuing basin-based water-sharing agreements with India for all shared rivers.​

 

[Saif]

China proposal on Teesta project feasibility under consideration: PM

The government is considering a proposal for a detailed feasibility study for implementation of the Teesta river-restoration and-management project, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the question arose in parliament Wednesday. She was responding to the question raised by lawmaker Hamidul

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

China proposal on Teesta project feasibility under consideration: PM
She apprises parliament during question hour
Published :
Jun 13, 2024 00:52
Updated :
Jun 13, 2024 00:52

The government is considering a proposal for a detailed feasibility study for implementation of the Teesta river-restoration and-management project, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the question arose in parliament Wednesday.
She was responding to the question raised by lawmaker Hamidul Huq Khondker of Kurigram-2 constituency, close by the border river that dries up in summer and overflows in rainy season and thus affects life and economic activity in vast northern area.

Detailing on the status of the multipurpose barrage scheme, the prime minister said with a view to implementing the Tk 821-billion project the government had prepared a preliminary development project proposal and sent it to the Economic Relations Division for seeking foreign assistance.

"At the 51st meeting of an ERD committee that is responsible for mobilising foreign funds, it was decided that a proposal would be sent to China for funding the project on easier terms," she said.

Bangladesh sent the PDPP of the project to China in March 2021, through the Chinese Embassy, seeking loan for implementation of the project.

After evaluating the PDPP, the Chinese government identified some weaknesses in the project and they sent their recommendations on the project to the government in March this year.

"The Chinese government, in their evaluation, mentioned a lack of detailed proposal on land development and water navigation. They also suggested downsizing the project through excluding some of the components and also recommended implementing the project in phases," the premier told the House.

A Chinese company, 'Power China', had sent a proposal to the Water Development Board for detailed feasibility study of the project, which is now under consideration of the development, she apprised the lawmakers.

Earlier, responding to another question from Farida Yasmin MP, Prime Minister Hasina told the parliament that BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Zia and 14 other convicts of the August 21, 2004 grenade-attack case are fugitives.

To the question from the treasury-bench lawmaker, Farida Yasmin, during the question-answer session, Sheikh Hasina said 34 convicts were arrested while 15 others, including Tarique Rahman alias Tarique Zia, are fugitives out of 49 in total.

The Leader of the House said a total of 49 accused got various sentences that include capital punishment and life-term imprisonment in the trial of the grenade case in Dhaka's Speedy Trial Tribunal No-1 on October 10, 2018.

"Of the convicts, 19 were sentenced to death, 19 others to life imprisonment while the rest 11 to various jail terms," she added.​

 

[Deleted due to Error (Muji Iqbal)]

Report it to United Nations and International Court of Justice Then.

 

[Saif]

Report it to United Nations and International Court of Justice Then.

Sheikh Hasina won't do it. She is too pro-India to do anything that could embarrass India

 

[Saif]

The Indian journalist said there was no reason why India would fail to share water of Teesta river with Bangladesh.

 

[Bilal9]

The Indian journalist said there was no reason why India would fail to share water of Teesta river with Bangladesh.

I don't think Teesta issue stems from inability to share by the center. It is a West Bengal State (ergo, CM) issue.

"Didi" is the problem. It'd be political suicide for her. BJP already calls her "Mumtaz Begum" instead of Mamata Banerjee, saying she appeases Muslims too much in her state.

 

[Saif]

I don't think Teesta issue stems from inability to share by the center. It is a West Bengal State (ergo, CM) issue.

"Didi" is the problem. It'd be political suicide for her. BJP already calls her "Mumtaz Begum" instead of Mamata Banerjee, saying she appeases Muslims too much in her state.

Delhi is able to show more political acumen than we think. They are using Mamata Banerjee as an excuse to deprive Bangladesh of its legitimate share of water of Teesta river.

 

[Saif]

I think India has successfully kicked China out from the Teesta River Management project by offering her support to implement it. It is also to be noted that by offering support to implement the Teesta Management Project, India has clearly gave a message that there will be no agreement between Bangladesh and India regarding the sharing of Teesta river water.

BD, India to work on shared vision

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi Saturday vowed to collaborate in realising their respective visions of 'Smart Bangladesh' and 'Viksit Bharat' as they witnessed the signing of wide-ranging bilateral cooperation pacts. The common consent w

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Technical team to visit Bangladesh soon to discuss Teesta conservation: Modi
Published :
Jun 22, 2024 18:08
Updated :
Jun 22, 2024 18:08

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that a technical team would soon visit Bangladesh to discuss the conservation and management of the Teesta River.
"We have decided to initiate technical-level talks on the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. For the conservation and management of Teesta river in Bangladesh, a technical team will visit Bangladesh soon," PM Modi said after a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Saturday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently in New Delhi on a two-day state visit to India, was accorded a warm ceremonial reception by her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.​

 

[Saif]

তিস্তা চুক্তিতে আগ্রহ নেই ভারতের!

 

[Saif]

China, India in tug of war over Teesta project in Bangladesh

Beijing and New Delhi are on a collision course after India’s latest proposal to finance the Teesta river restoration and management project when China has already offered...

www.newagebd.net

China, India in tug of war over Teesta project in Bangladesh
Mustafizur Rahman 24 June, 2024, 00:00

Beijing and New Delhi are on a collision course after India's latest proposal to finance the Teesta river restoration and management project when China has already offered both financial and technical support for the same project.

Tension grew between the two countries as the matter was discussed during Sheikh Hasina's bilateral talks with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during her June 21–22 visit to New Delhi, her second trip to the country in 15 days.

Hasina earlier visited India on June 9 to attend Modi's oath-taking for the third consecutive term.

A Chinese minister arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a four-day visit that coincided with Hasina's return from Delhi.

The visiting minister, Liu Jianchao, is scheduled to call on prime minister Hasina today ahead of her planned bilateral visit to China in the second week of July, foreign ministry officials confirmed.

Before Hasina's Delhi visit, India expressed its willingness to support the implementation of the proposed Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Plan in Bangladesh's north, a strategically important location for India where China has already completed a survey for a $1 billion project.

Indian external affairs secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra conveyed his country's interest during a courtesy call on foreign minister Hasan Mahmud in Dhaka in May.

'India's interest in the Teesta management project conveyed recently has obviously created some tension with China due to the timing of the proposal from New Delhi, as Dhaka has already sought Beijing's support for the development project,' said retired diplomat Munshi Faiz Ahmad, who also served as Bangladesh ambassador to China.

Faiz, also a former chairman of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, told New Age that India's purpose behind the move seemed to counter China on its strategically important location.

Foreign minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday welcomed India's announcement of sending a technical team to discuss Teesta management.

Terming the planned visit of India's technical team as a positive move, he told reporters that it was needed since Teesta was a big project.

Speaking to reporters at his office, Hasan said that bilateral talks in New Delhi did not discuss anything concerning China over the Teesta project.

Jianchao, minister of the international department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Hasan at the State Guesthouse Padma in the city today, according to officials.

Although nothing specific was announced after the summit about the signing of a water-sharing deal on the common river Teesta, a pressing issue for Bangladesh kept pending for a long by successive Indian governments, Modi on Saturday announced that a technical team would soon visit Bangladesh to discuss 'conservation and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh.'

'We have decided to start technical level discussions for renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. A technical team will soon visit Bangladesh to discuss conservation and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh,' said Modi in a press statement after the bilateral meeting with Hasina at Hyderabad House.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

India should have no role to play in Teesta development plan

INDIA’S announcement to send a technical team to Bangladesh to discuss the conservation and management of the River Teesta appears farcical. India, which has since 2010 put on hold the signing of an agreement on the sharing of the water of the cross-border Teesta...

www.newagebd.net

India should have no role to play in Teesta development plan
24 June, 2024, 00:00

INDIA'S announcement to send a technical team to Bangladesh to discuss the conservation and management of the River Teesta appears farcical. India, which has since 2010 put on hold the signing of an agreement on the sharing of the water of the cross-border Teesta, has expressed its willingness to support a large-scale development plan on the management of the river in Bangladesh's north. This is not the first time India has so done. New Delhi in the first week of May also offered to finance the project for a comprehensive management and the restoration of the river after China had showed interest in it and carried out a survey. What is farcical about this is that the absence of an agreement on the Teesta water sharing with India leaves five districts in Bangladesh — Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Rangpur through which the river flows — dry in the lean season, adding to the risk of desertification, because of the unilateral withdrawal of water upstream. The situation also leaves the region frequently inundated in the monsoon season as India opens all floodgates, often without any intimation. India, which is at the heart of the problem, should, therefore, have no role to play in it.

The agreement on the sharing of Teesta water with India was put into the final form in 2010, with both the sides agreeing a 50:50 sharing formula provisioning for 20 per cent of the water as the environmental flow. But India backtracked on the signing of the agreement hours before India's prime minister of the time arrived in Dhaka on September 6, 2011. And, having left the signing of the agreement in the lurch for so many years that has added to the risk of desertification in Bangladesh's north, New Delhi in early May conveyed its willingness to finance the development plan involving the Teesta when India's external affairs minister called on Bangladesh's foreign minister in Dhaka. And now, India, described as a 'trusted friend' and 'regional partner', has offered to send a technical team to discuss the project to resolve the problem that India has caused for Bangladesh by withholding the signing of the agreement and by withdrawing water upstream unilaterally. Now when Bangladesh's prime minister visited India in June 21–22, New Delhi signed 10 memorandums of understanding, seven new and three renewed, most of which appear to benefit India more but set aside the signing of the Teesta water sharing agreement. Dhaka should not entertain any proposal of New Delhi involving the Teesta development plan meant to improve the socio-economic condition in Bangladesh's north by, among others, setting up economic growth points, preventing flooding, dredging the river bed and constructing dams and reservoirs in the catchment area. India had rather sign the Teesta water sharing agreement.

India having been at the heart of the problem of the life and livelihood that have for long been at stake around the River Teesta and the region, this is no wise that India should have any involvement in the project meant to stem the decline caused by India's unilateral withdrawal and sudden release of the water upstream.​

 

[Saif]

‘Not feasible to share Teesta water’

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday said no discussion on sharing the Teesta and Ganges waters should be held with Bangladesh without the involvement of the West Bengal government.

www.thedailystar.net

'Not feasible to share Teesta water'

Mamata writes to Modi, also asks not to hold talks on Teesta, Farakka without involving West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday said no discussion on sharing the Teesta and Ganges waters should be held with Bangladesh without the involvement of the West Bengal government.

Sharing Teesta water with Bangladesh is not feasible, she wrote in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The interest of people in West Bengal is paramount which should not be compromised at any cost," she wrote.

If Teesta water is shared with Bangladesh, "lakhs of people in North Bengal will get severely impacted due to inadequate availability of irrigation water".

Teesta water is also needed for meeting drinking water requirements of the residents of North Bengal, she said.

She wrote the letter a couple of days after prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi where the Indian PM announced a technical team would be sent to Bangladesh soon for conservation and management of water in the Teesta and discussions would soon start on the renewal of the 1996 Ganges water-sharing treaty which expires in 2026.

Mamata also stated that West Bengal shares "a very close relationship with Bangladesh geographically, culturally and economically. I love and respect people of Bangladesh and always wish for their well-being".

"However, water is very precious and is the lifeline of the people. We cannot compromise on such a sensitive issue which has severe and adverse implication on the people. People of West Bengal will be the worst sufferers due to the impact of such agreements."

In the letter signed yesterday, the West Bengal chief minister also said, "I came to understand that Government of India is in the process of renewing the Indo Bangladesh Farakka Treaty (1996) which is to expire in 2026."

"I would like to bring to your notice that river morphology has changed in the eastern part of India and Bangladesh over many years which has deprived West Bengal and negatively impacted the water availability in the state," she said.

The letter ended with her strong reservation saying that no discussion on sharing of "Teesta water and the Farakka Treaty should be taken up with Bangladesh without the involvement of [West Bengal] state government".

She hoped that the Indian prime minister would take action accordingly.

Teesta water is crucial for irrigation in the northern part of Bangladesh, especially between December and April.

The river resembles a narrow canal in Bangladesh in lean season.

India in 1983 built the Gajoldoba barrage on the Teesta 70km upstream of Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat and started diverting Teesta water.

In 2011, Bangladesh and India finalised the Teesta water-sharing agreement but it was not signed as Mamata opposed it.

During the Indian PM's Dhaka visit in 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi directed their respective water resources ministries to work towards an early conclusion of the Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing waters of six common rivers.

Three years have gone by, but the framework has not seen the light of day.​

 

[Saif]

The Teesta conservation and restoration project is the brainchild of China. So, I think it is better to award the contract to China because they have spent a good amount of money to do the physical survey on Teesta river. They have firsthand experience in implementing such project in their own country. India, however, does not have the technology to implement such project.

‘Will implement Teesta project with help from India’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her government will implement the Teesta project with assistance from India and it has got assurances from the neighbouring country in this regard.

www.thedailystar.net

'Will implement Teesta project with help from India'
Says PM, sees nothing wrong in maintaining ties with both India, China

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her government will implement the Teesta project with assistance from India and it has got assurances from the neighbouring country in this regard.

As Bangladesh has a longstanding issue with India over the sharing of Teesta waters, it would be easy for Dhaka if the Teesta project is implemented by Delhi, she said.

"As India has come forward, we think if we implement the Teesta project with India, we will not have to face problems regarding water every day. We will have that benefit," she said.

The premier was addressing a press conference at the Gono Bhaban yesterday to brief the media about the outcome of her June 21-22 state visit to India, report BSS and UNB.

Responding to a query from a journalist, the premier, however, said her government will accept either a Chinese or an Indian proposal for the Teesta Master Plan Project considering which one would be the most beneficial for the country.

"We have taken up the Teesta project. China and India have put forward separate proposals to implement the project.

"But we must consider which proposal will be beneficial for the people, how much loan we will take and how much we will have to repay after the completion of the project, and also the capability of repaying the loan," Hasina continued.

China has completed a physical survey on the Teesta project while India wants to carry out another one, she said.

The PM said India has expressed its willingness to send a technical team to Bangladesh in this regard and Bangladesh will sit with the team.

"We will accept that survey which would be more suitable and beneficial for us."

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

What about decommissioning Farakka Barrage?

The Farakka Barrage on the mighty river Ganges was commissioned on April 21, 1975 on a trial basis. And with its commissioning, a large section of people of Bangladesh became mistrustful of India, which had strongly supported the independence war of Bangladesh and made huge sacrifices. The main re

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

What about decommissioning Farakka Barrage?
MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN
Published :
Jun 26, 2024 21:49
Updated :
Jun 26, 2024 21:49

The Farakka Barrage on the mighty river Ganges was commissioned on April 21, 1975 on a trial basis. And with its commissioning, a large section of people of Bangladesh became mistrustful of India, which had strongly supported the independence war of Bangladesh and made huge sacrifices.

The main reason for mistrust is the adverse effect of Farakka Barrage on the economy of Bangladesh that is largely dependent on agriculture for its sustenance. But the irony is that after 20 years of its commissioning, people for whom the barrage was constructed, are now raising voice against it. Located in West Bengal, India, the Farakka Barrage is roughly 16.5km away from the Bangladesh border.

The purpose of the barrage was to ensure navigability of the Kolkata Port by flushing out silt by discharging water at the rate of 1800 cubic meter per second from the Hooghly River. After commissioning the project, Indian experts said that it was observed that the diverted water flow from the Farakka Barrage was not enough for the purpose.Eventually, it was found that the water diverted from the barrage is less than 10 per cent of the water of the Ganges river available at Farakka.

Against this backdrop, the chief minister of the West Bengal, Mamara Banarjee has publicly questioned the necessity of the Farakka Barrage. A couple of days ago, she wrote a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wherein she had drawn a vivid picture of the negative impact of the Farakka Barrage on the people and their livelihoods in West Bengal.

"In fact, the genesis of construction of Farakka Barrage project is the disconnection of Bhagirathi from the Ganges. As part of this project, a feeder canal has been constructed to provide at least 40000 cusec for proper functioning of the Kolkata port. It is very pertinent to mention that the flow of silt into Hooghly has also reduced over the years after the barrage was constructed" the West Bengal chief minister wrote in her letter.

"This has accentuated erosion by the rivers and the areas both in the upstream and downstream of the barrage have faced serious loss of life and property including public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals; health centres, power lines in the past. Lakhs of people have been displaced from their habitation rendering them homeless and also leading to their loss of livelihood. The reduced silt load in Hooghly has impeded the nourishment of Sundarban delta" she explained.

People of Bangladesh believe that Farakka Barrage, built across the Ganges is the key reason for drying up of many rivers in their country, including the Padma near Rajshahi. Experts said the barrage is not a problem for Bangladesh alone, it also poses a problem for the people who live in its vicinity in India. In fact, Farrakka project is a vivid example of how development projects have been undertaken without thinking about the lives of people living near the river. The rivers of Bangladesh are dying. The sweet water content inside the rivers has diminished, and there has been a steady rise in salinity.

Built to revive the Kolkata port, it is now blamed for reducing water flow, increasing salinity and drying up the waters around the Sundarbans.

Mamata Banerjee raised the issue in reference to the recent Hasina-Modi meeting, which decided to renew the Ganges Water Sharing treaty, which is to expire in 2026. She made it clear that without her consent the proposed renewal would not be acceptable. And it is more or less clear that she may not accept a deal without a solution of the crisis triggered by the Farakka Barrage.

Under the prevailing circumstances, questions are being raised by many whether decommissioning of the Farakka Barrage could be a solution to the problem. One will have to wait and see what transpires finally.​

 

[Bilal9]

‘Not feasible to share Teesta water’

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday said no discussion on sharing the Teesta and Ganges waters should be held with Bangladesh without the involvement of the West Bengal government.

www.thedailystar.net

'Not feasible to share Teesta water'
View attachment 6583

Mamata writes to Modi, also asks not to hold talks on Teesta, Farakka without involving West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday said no discussion on sharing the Teesta and Ganges waters should be held with Bangladesh without the involvement of the West Bengal government.

Sharing Teesta water with Bangladesh is not feasible, she wrote in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The interest of people in West Bengal is paramount which should not be compromised at any cost," she wrote.

If Teesta water is shared with Bangladesh, "lakhs of people in North Bengal will get severely impacted due to inadequate availability of irrigation water".

Teesta water is also needed for meeting drinking water requirements of the residents of North Bengal, she said.

She wrote the letter a couple of days after prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi where the Indian PM announced a technical team would be sent to Bangladesh soon for conservation and management of water in the Teesta and discussions would soon start on the renewal of the 1996 Ganges water-sharing treaty which expires in 2026.

Mamata also stated that West Bengal shares "a very close relationship with Bangladesh geographically, culturally and economically. I love and respect people of Bangladesh and always wish for their well-being".

"However, water is very precious and is the lifeline of the people. We cannot compromise on such a sensitive issue which has severe and adverse implication on the people. People of West Bengal will be the worst sufferers due to the impact of such agreements."

In the letter signed yesterday, the West Bengal chief minister also said, "I came to understand that Government of India is in the process of renewing the Indo Bangladesh Farakka Treaty (1996) which is to expire in 2026."

"I would like to bring to your notice that river morphology has changed in the eastern part of India and Bangladesh over many years which has deprived West Bengal and negatively impacted the water availability in the state," she said.

The letter ended with her strong reservation saying that no discussion on sharing of "Teesta water and the Farakka Treaty should be taken up with Bangladesh without the involvement of [West Bengal] state government".

She hoped that the Indian prime minister would take action accordingly.

Teesta water is crucial for irrigation in the northern part of Bangladesh, especially between December and April.

The river resembles a narrow canal in Bangladesh in lean season.

India in 1983 built the Gajoldoba barrage on the Teesta 70km upstream of Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat and started diverting Teesta water.

In 2011, Bangladesh and India finalised the Teesta water-sharing agreement but it was not signed as Mamata opposed it.

During the Indian PM's Dhaka visit in 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi directed their respective water resources ministries to work towards an early conclusion of the Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing waters of six common rivers.

Three years have gone by, but the framework has not seen the light of day.​

I don't know why we are even wasting time dealing with two bit elements and their barking, as if they matter. Signing an agreement for Teesta with the Chinese was needed yesterday. Forge ahead and let's get it done already....

 

[Bilal9]

What about decommissioning Farakka Barrage?

The Farakka Barrage on the mighty river Ganges was commissioned on April 21, 1975 on a trial basis. And with its commissioning, a large section of people of Bangladesh became mistrustful of India, which had strongly supported the independence war of Bangladesh and made huge sacrifices. The main re

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

What about decommissioning Farakka Barrage?
MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN
Published :
Jun 26, 2024 21:49
Updated :
Jun 26, 2024 21:49
View attachment 6627

The Farakka Barrage on the mighty river Ganges was commissioned on April 21, 1975 on a trial basis. And with its commissioning, a large section of people of Bangladesh became mistrustful of India, which had strongly supported the independence war of Bangladesh and made huge sacrifices.

The main reason for mistrust is the adverse effect of Farakka Barrage on the economy of Bangladesh that is largely dependent on agriculture for its sustenance. But the irony is that after 20 years of its commissioning, people for whom the barrage was constructed, are now raising voice against it. Located in West Bengal, India, the Farakka Barrage is roughly 16.5km away from the Bangladesh border.

The purpose of the barrage was to ensure navigability of the Kolkata Port by flushing out silt by discharging water at the rate of 1800 cubic meter per second from the Hooghly River. After commissioning the project, Indian experts said that it was observed that the diverted water flow from the Farakka Barrage was not enough for the purpose.Eventually, it was found that the water diverted from the barrage is less than 10 per cent of the water of the Ganges river available at Farakka.

Against this backdrop, the chief minister of the West Bengal, Mamara Banarjee has publicly questioned the necessity of the Farakka Barrage. A couple of days ago, she wrote a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wherein she had drawn a vivid picture of the negative impact of the Farakka Barrage on the people and their livelihoods in West Bengal.

"In fact, the genesis of construction of Farakka Barrage project is the disconnection of Bhagirathi from the Ganges. As part of this project, a feeder canal has been constructed to provide at least 40000 cusec for proper functioning of the Kolkata port. It is very pertinent to mention that the flow of silt into Hooghly has also reduced over the years after the barrage was constructed" the West Bengal chief minister wrote in her letter.

"This has accentuated erosion by the rivers and the areas both in the upstream and downstream of the barrage have faced serious loss of life and property including public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals; health centres, power lines in the past. Lakhs of people have been displaced from their habitation rendering them homeless and also leading to their loss of livelihood. The reduced silt load in Hooghly has impeded the nourishment of Sundarban delta" she explained.

People of Bangladesh believe that Farakka Barrage, built across the Ganges is the key reason for drying up of many rivers in their country, including the Padma near Rajshahi. Experts said the barrage is not a problem for Bangladesh alone, it also poses a problem for the people who live in its vicinity in India. In fact, Farrakka project is a vivid example of how development projects have been undertaken without thinking about the lives of people living near the river. The rivers of Bangladesh are dying. The sweet water content inside the rivers has diminished, and there has been a steady rise in salinity.

Built to revive the Kolkata port, it is now blamed for reducing water flow, increasing salinity and drying up the waters around the Sundarbans.

Mamata Banerjee raised the issue in reference to the recent Hasina-Modi meeting, which decided to renew the Ganges Water Sharing treaty, which is to expire in 2026. She made it clear that without her consent the proposed renewal would not be acceptable. And it is more or less clear that she may not accept a deal without a solution of the crisis triggered by the Farakka Barrage.

Under the prevailing circumstances, questions are being raised by many whether decommissioning of the Farakka Barrage could be a solution to the problem. One will have to wait and see what transpires finally.​

Same thing like Teesta, ditto solution.

Build a barrage downstream within fifty miles of Farakka, our side of the border.

Then we will see how many paddy, how many rice. Entire Bihar and WB will be underwater, because (unlike us) their leaders never spend any money on dredging their rivers.

Enough useless talk for fifty years. These people are experts at stalling.

 

[Saif]

I don't know why we are even wasting time dealing with two bit elements and their barking, as if they matter. Signing an agreement for Teesta with the Chinese was needed yesterday. Forge ahead and let's get it done already....

Fokirni Hasina has already indicated that she would give the Teesta project to India instead of China. India has deprived us of Teesta water and as a reward for this Hasina is about to give them $1 billion Teesta restoration project. She is a traitor.

 

[Saif]

Same thing like Teesta, ditto solution.

Build a barrage downstream within fifty miles of Farakka, our side of the border.

Then we will see how many paddy, how many rice. Entire Bihar and WB will be underwater, because (unlike us) their leaders never spend any money on dredging their rivers.

Enough useless talk for fifty years. These people are experts at stalling.

Due to Indian pressure, the Mirjafor of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has already cancelled the Ganges barrage project in 2017.

 

[Bilal9]

Due to Indian pressure, the Mirjafor of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has already cancelled the Ganges barrage project in 2017.

Once we oust this woman (and be ousted she shall), Teesta will need to be first priority, as will be Ganges Barrage...

 

[Saif]

Once we oust this woman (and be ousted she shall), Teesta will need to be first priority, as will be Ganges Barrage...

Fingers crossed.

 

[Saif]

Chinese plan about Teesta River Comprehensive Restoration Project has been described in the video below.

 

[Saif]

The Teesta management project presents new challenges before Bangladesh

If Bangladesh cannot get an equitable share of the water from upstream, the Teesta crisis will not be resolved.

www.thedailystar.net

The Teesta management project presents new challenges before Bangladesh

Any discussion on the Teesta management should involve a water-sharing agreement with India. FILE PHOTO: STAR

Discussing the Teesta water-sharing agreement has become part of the routine in prime-minister-level meetings between Bangladesh and India. In each meeting, the prime minister of Bangladesh would request the Indian prime minister for the conclusion of the interim agreement on sharing the water of Teesta, as agreed upon by both governments in January 2011. And then the Indian PM would reiterate that his government was working with all the stakeholders in India for an early conclusion of the agreement. This kind of request and assurance can be found in all the recent joint statements, like the joint statements issued during the Bangladesh PM's visit to India in October 2019, and the Indian PM's visit to Bangladesh in March 2021.

However, an exception can be seen in the statement of September 2022, during the Bangladesh PM's visit to India, where she raised the issue of signing the draft Teesta agreement prepared in 2011. That time, there was no assurance from the Indian PM in the statement. Subsequently, neither of the prime ministers mentioned the Teesta water-sharing agreement in the joint statement titled "India-Bangladesh Shared Vision for Future," issued after the latest visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India on June 21-22 this year.

Instead, it was announced that an Indian technical team would soon visit Bangladesh to discuss "conservation and management of the Teesta River inside Bangladesh." What India meant by "conservation and management" was elaborated on by Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra.

"It is less about the water-sharing part, but more about management of water flow within the Teesta River," explained Secretary Kwatra, in a special media briefing.

This omission of the Teesta water-sharing agreement from the joint statement is a significant change. Does this mean that the Teesta water-sharing agenda has been abandoned?

The discussion on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) has been going on in Bangladesh for quite a few years. This megaproject to restore the Teesta is supposed to be implemented with financial and technical assistance from China. Since 2019, China and Bangladesh have been discussing this matter. Now it appears that India has also become seriously interested in the project.

This is because the region where the TRCMRP is to be implemented is deemed strategically important by India. According to a report in the Hindustan Times on June 22, besides worries about water flow data and other information on the cross-border river being scooped up by China, India has concerns about Chinese personnel establishing a presence at the project site located near the "chicken's neck"—the narrow strip of land connecting the northeast of India to the rest of the country.

But will the Teesta crisis be solved by conserving and managing the water of the Teesta inside Bangladesh? The main problem of the Teesta River is India's unilateral withdrawal of water from the river by building barrages upstream and the creation of obstacles in river flow by constructing infrastructure projects, including hydroelectric power plants. So, what will be the procedure of involving India, the country which is responsible for drying up the Teesta River and depriving Bangladesh of the fair share of the river's water, in the management of the river inside Bangladesh? Accepting India's technical assistance in an attempt to revitalise the Teesta in its current state, without entering a water-sharing agreement, could mean accepting unilateral withdrawal of water from the Teesta by India.

No matter what activities are done under the Teesta megaproject, if Bangladesh cannot get an equitable share of the water from upstream, the Teesta crisis will not be resolved. Even if the Teesta water-sharing agreement is signed between Bangladesh and India over sharing water only at Gajoldoba point, without taking into account the impact of upstream projects in Sikkim, the crisis will not be solved.

Another question is, no matter which country implements the TRCMRP project, is it really possible to solve the Teesta water crisis by implementing it inside Bangladesh, without removing all the obstacles to the water flow upstream in India? According to a demonstration by Power China, the project involves reducing the width and increasing the depth of the river by dredging and building embankment on both sides, recovering 170 square kilometres of land on both sides of the river by filling with dredging soil and constructing housing and industrial parks, among other things, on that land. At present, the maximum width of the Teesta River is 5.1 kilometres and the average width is 3.1 kilometres. Under the TRCMRP project, this width will be reduced to 0.7 kilometre to one kilometre, which will cause a serious adverse effect on the velocity and water carrying capacity of the river.

According to a study by Dr Md Khalequzzaman, professor of geology and environmental sciences at the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania in the US, due to the reduced cross-section of the river, the velocity of the river will increase. As a result, when the flow of water increases greatly during the rainy season, the erosion tendency of the two banks will increase. Due to the embankments on both sides of the river, most of the tributaries and distributaries of the Teesta will likely be cut off from the main river. For this reason, during flooding, the flow in the river will not spread to its tributaries and distributaries, causing the floods to intensify. Even the reclaimed land will be in the active flood-flow zone of the Teesta and will likely be exposed to flood damage.

But after all these, the proposed TRCMRP will not be able to solve the water scarcity issue because without increased water flow from upstream, no additional water can be generated by dredging the river to greater depths. The water that might become available in the river after deepening the riverbed would be shallow groundwater. Using this water for irrigation will lower the groundwater table in the catchment area, reducing the availability of potable water and irrigation water drawn through shallow tube wells.

So, no matter what activities are done under the Teesta megaproject, if Bangladesh cannot get an equitable share of the water from upstream, the Teesta crisis will not be resolved. Even if the Teesta water-sharing agreement is signed between Bangladesh and India over sharing water only at Gajoldoba point, without taking into account the impact of upstream projects in Sikkim, the crisis will not be solved.

Any discussion on the Teesta management should involve a water-sharing agreement with India which will ensure equitable water flow, enforce restrictions on unilateral changes in upstream river flow, keep provisions for mandatory exchange of data regarding any upstream project, and have the option for third-party dispute settlement. Otherwise, Bangladesh will continue to suffer for the Teesta for decades to come.

Kallol Mustafa is an engineer and writer who focuses on power, energy, environment and development economics.​

 

[Saif]

The Name of a Plundered River

West Bengal is planning to dig two new canals to divert more water from the Teesta River for irrigation, and set up two hydropower projects on its tributary.

www.thedailystar.net

The Name of a Plundered River
West Bengal is planning to dig two new canals to divert more water from the river for irrigation and set up two hydropower projects on a tributary of the river, which will further worsen the sufferings of farmers in Bangladesh.

The drying up of the Teesta River is threatening biodiversity, environment and ecology and hampering the livelihoods of thousands of farmers living in the northern region of Bangladesh. PHOTO: S DILIP ROY

With the Teesta water-sharing deal between Bangladesh and India hanging in the balance for over a decade, West Bengal is planning to dig two new canals to divert more water from the river for irrigation and set up two hydropower projects on a tributary of the river, which will further worsen the sufferings of farmers in Bangladesh. According to these plans, as reported by The Telegraph, a 32km canal to draw water from the Teesta and the Jaldhaka rivers will be dug till Changrabandha of Cooch Behar district, and another 15km canal will be dug on the left bank of Teesta. And two dams named Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP) I and II will be set up on the Bara Rangeet River to produce 71MW electricity.

This is clearly a violation of all international norms of transboundary river water management, as well as India's commitment given at the 37th meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), held in New Delhi in March 2010. During that meeting, India agreed that "the Indian side would not construct any major structure for diversion of water for consumptive uses upstream of (Gajoldoba) barrage except minor irrigation schemes, drinking water supply and Industrial use" (Article 8, Annexure V).

At the same meeting, Bangladesh proposed a draft water-sharing agreement, according to which the Teesta water would be equally divided between Bangladesh and India, leaving 20 percent in the river to maintain ecological requirements. Had that draft agreement been signed, Bangladesh and India would each get 40 percent of the actual flow available at Gajoldoba point. After much deliberation, the two sides agreed in June 2011 that India would get 42.5 percent and Bangladesh 37.5 percent. But that agreement could not be signed due to the opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Though Mamata mentioned "shortage of water" as the reason for not signing the agreement, her government's latest move to withdraw more water from the river contests the validity of her argument.

Previously, Bangladesh and India signed an ad hoc agreement to share Teesta water at the 25th JRC meeting held in Dhaka in July 1983. According to the agreement, valid till 1985, 36 percent of the water from the Teesta would be allocated to Bangladesh, 39 percent to India, and 25 percent would remain unallocated. These shares would be subject to reallocation upon the completion of scientific studies by the Joint Teesta/Tista Committee. That reallocation agreement never took place, and India continued to withdraw water from the Teesta River.

According to a report published by The Daily Star last year citing data from the JRC, between 1973 and 1985 when the barrage was yet to be built in West Bengal, the daily average flow of water in the river in the last 10 days of March was 6,710 cusec (cubic feet per second). After the barrage became operational, the water flow started to reduce in the dry season while increasing in the monsoon. The flow in the Teesta starts to dwindle in October, and by December the river dries up. To meet the irrigation needs, the flow should be over 5,000 cusecs, but Bangladesh has been getting only 1,200-1,500 cusecs during the dry season, which sometimes drops to as low as 200-300 cusecs.

As a result, the drying up of the Teesta riverbed is threatening biodiversity, environment and ecology, hampering the livelihoods of thousands of farmers living in the northern region of Bangladesh. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), about 60 percent of an estimated 90,000 hectares of land in the river basin areas are left unutilised in the dry season. Many farmers in the Lalmonirhat district, who cultivate crops on the sandy char lands, are compelled to use diesel-run shallow machines to irrigate their croplands, which increases their costs of farming.

In this circumstance, if two new canals are dug and two new dams are built by the West Bengal government, the situation will become unbearable for Bangladesh during the dry season. Along with the Teesta, the Dharla River will also dry up because of water withdrawal from the Jaldhaka River. That's why Bangladesh needs to engage with India immediately in order to stop the new canals and put pressure to sign equitable water-sharing treaties.

Some Bangladeshi experts are concerned that sharing water based on the available water at the Gajoldoba point will not be fair nor optimal for Bangladesh, as the water flow is reduced by the hydropower projects even before it reaches Gajoldoba. Although the dams are termed "run-of-the-river" dams, which are not supposed to affect the river flow, the requirement of water storage for a long time to generate electricity and also the evaporation loss from the reservoirs reduce the downstream flows substantially, especially during the dry season. That's why the experts opine that Bangladesh should demand the minimum historical flow in the Teesta River, which is 4,500 cusecs.

Bangladesh should put pressure on India during bilateral discussions and raise Teesta and other transboundary river water-sharing issues as a mandatory condition for the continuity of India's access to Bangladeshi rivers, inland waterways and seaports. We also need to ratify the UN watercourses convention of 1997, which can be a great tool for a lower riparian country like Bangladesh to get its fair share of water from its big neighbour. According to Article 7.1 of the convention, "Watercourse States shall, in utilising an international watercourse in their territories, take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm to other Watercourse States." Article 7.2 says, "Where significant harm nevertheless is caused to another Watercourse State, the States whose use causes such harm shall, in the absence of agreement to such use, take all appropriate measures, having due regard for the provisions of Articles 5 and 6, in consultation with the affected State, to eliminate or mitigate such harm and, where appropriate, to discuss the question of compensation."

It remains a mystery why Bangladesh, being a lower riparian country that suffers from unilateral water withdrawal from a big neighbour, still has not ratified the convention. It's high time Bangladesh ratified the convention and took the disputed water-sharing issues to international platforms to get a fair share of Teesta water from India.

Kallol Mustafa is an engineer and writer who focuses on power, energy, environment and development economics.​

 

[Bilal9]

The Name of a Plundered River

West Bengal is planning to dig two new canals to divert more water from the Teesta River for irrigation, and set up two hydropower projects on its tributary.

www.thedailystar.net

The Name of a Plundered River
West Bengal is planning to dig two new canals to divert more water from the river for irrigation and set up two hydropower projects on a tributary of the river, which will further worsen the sufferings of farmers in Bangladesh.
View attachment 6632
The drying up of the Teesta River is threatening biodiversity, environment and ecology and hampering the livelihoods of thousands of farmers living in the northern region of Bangladesh. PHOTO: S DILIP ROY

With the Teesta water-sharing deal between Bangladesh and India hanging in the balance for over a decade, West Bengal is planning to dig two new canals to divert more water from the river for irrigation and set up two hydropower projects on a tributary of the river, which will further worsen the sufferings of farmers in Bangladesh. According to these plans, as reported by The Telegraph, a 32km canal to draw water from the Teesta and the Jaldhaka rivers will be dug till Changrabandha of Cooch Behar district, and another 15km canal will be dug on the left bank of Teesta. And two dams named Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP) I and II will be set up on the Bara Rangeet River to produce 71MW electricity.

This is clearly a violation of all international norms of transboundary river water management, as well as India's commitment given at the 37th meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), held in New Delhi in March 2010. During that meeting, India agreed that "the Indian side would not construct any major structure for diversion of water for consumptive uses upstream of (Gajoldoba) barrage except minor irrigation schemes, drinking water supply and Industrial use" (Article 8, Annexure V).

At the same meeting, Bangladesh proposed a draft water-sharing agreement, according to which the Teesta water would be equally divided between Bangladesh and India, leaving 20 percent in the river to maintain ecological requirements. Had that draft agreement been signed, Bangladesh and India would each get 40 percent of the actual flow available at Gajoldoba point. After much deliberation, the two sides agreed in June 2011 that India would get 42.5 percent and Bangladesh 37.5 percent. But that agreement could not be signed due to the opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Though Mamata mentioned "shortage of water" as the reason for not signing the agreement, her government's latest move to withdraw more water from the river contests the validity of her argument.

Previously, Bangladesh and India signed an ad hoc agreement to share Teesta water at the 25th JRC meeting held in Dhaka in July 1983. According to the agreement, valid till 1985, 36 percent of the water from the Teesta would be allocated to Bangladesh, 39 percent to India, and 25 percent would remain unallocated. These shares would be subject to reallocation upon the completion of scientific studies by the Joint Teesta/Tista Committee. That reallocation agreement never took place, and India continued to withdraw water from the Teesta River.

According to a report published by The Daily Star last year citing data from the JRC, between 1973 and 1985 when the barrage was yet to be built in West Bengal, the daily average flow of water in the river in the last 10 days of March was 6,710 cusec (cubic feet per second). After the barrage became operational, the water flow started to reduce in the dry season while increasing in the monsoon. The flow in the Teesta starts to dwindle in October, and by December the river dries up. To meet the irrigation needs, the flow should be over 5,000 cusecs, but Bangladesh has been getting only 1,200-1,500 cusecs during the dry season, which sometimes drops to as low as 200-300 cusecs.

As a result, the drying up of the Teesta riverbed is threatening biodiversity, environment and ecology, hampering the livelihoods of thousands of farmers living in the northern region of Bangladesh. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), about 60 percent of an estimated 90,000 hectares of land in the river basin areas are left unutilised in the dry season. Many farmers in the Lalmonirhat district, who cultivate crops on the sandy char lands, are compelled to use diesel-run shallow machines to irrigate their croplands, which increases their costs of farming.

In this circumstance, if two new canals are dug and two new dams are built by the West Bengal government, the situation will become unbearable for Bangladesh during the dry season. Along with the Teesta, the Dharla River will also dry up because of water withdrawal from the Jaldhaka River. That's why Bangladesh needs to engage with India immediately in order to stop the new canals and put pressure to sign equitable water-sharing treaties.

Some Bangladeshi experts are concerned that sharing water based on the available water at the Gajoldoba point will not be fair nor optimal for Bangladesh, as the water flow is reduced by the hydropower projects even before it reaches Gajoldoba. Although the dams are termed "run-of-the-river" dams, which are not supposed to affect the river flow, the requirement of water storage for a long time to generate electricity and also the evaporation loss from the reservoirs reduce the downstream flows substantially, especially during the dry season. That's why the experts opine that Bangladesh should demand the minimum historical flow in the Teesta River, which is 4,500 cusecs.

Bangladesh should put pressure on India during bilateral discussions and raise Teesta and other transboundary river water-sharing issues as a mandatory condition for the continuity of India's access to Bangladeshi rivers, inland waterways and seaports. We also need to ratify the UN watercourses convention of 1997, which can be a great tool for a lower riparian country like Bangladesh to get its fair share of water from its big neighbour. According to Article 7.1 of the convention, "Watercourse States shall, in utilising an international watercourse in their territories, take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm to other Watercourse States." Article 7.2 says, "Where significant harm nevertheless is caused to another Watercourse State, the States whose use causes such harm shall, in the absence of agreement to such use, take all appropriate measures, having due regard for the provisions of Articles 5 and 6, in consultation with the affected State, to eliminate or mitigate such harm and, where appropriate, to discuss the question of compensation."

It remains a mystery why Bangladesh, being a lower riparian country that suffers from unilateral water withdrawal from a big neighbour, still has not ratified the convention. It's high time Bangladesh ratified the convention and took the disputed water-sharing issues to international platforms to get a fair share of Teesta water from India.

Kallol Mustafa is an engineer and writer who focuses on power, energy, environment and development economics.​

It is not like we do not have leverage to pressure the Indian Govt.

One small thing, like putting some tariff on their exports to our market, will do wonders.

But this woman is such a doormat in front of Modi. He walks all over her.

We should not worry about any Indian Govt. move.

Ousting Hasina will automatically do wonders. The dominoes will fall in no time.

 

[Saif]

Lack of progress on Teesta water sharing deal is frustrating

Takeaways from the PM’s recent India visit

www.thedailystar.net

Lack of progress on Teesta water sharing deal is frustrating
Takeaways from the PM's recent India visit

VISUAL: STAR

It is little wonder that any positive outcome from the PM's recent visit to India has been largely overshadowed by a palpable frustration over the lack of progress on the longstanding Teesta water-sharing issue. Overall, as a former ambassador has put it, the two-day visit was "long on visions but short on details." And one glaring shortage or rather omission in the joint statement issued afterwards was that of the Teesta water-sharing agreement, which has remained pending for 13 years despite assurances from India's highest level. The issue didn't even appear to feature in the talks. Instead, we have learnt of India's interest in a megaproject to manage Teesta River inside Bangladesh, where China's pre-existing interest would more likely complicate things going forward.

But before it becomes another geostrategic battleground for the regional superpowers, we must ask ourselves: what does the project mean for the future of the Teesta water-sharing agenda? Reportedly, it will involve dredging the river, building embankments, setting up townships and industries, irrigation, etc. Clearly, it has its benefits, if planned and executed properly, but can focusing on only one part of a transboundary river resolve the water crisis facing downstream Bangladesh, with upstream India unilaterally controlling its flow? Will India's potential involvement in the project overshadow the water-sharing agenda? Although the PM has said there is no link between the two, concerns remain.

It is, therefore, vital that while the government scrutinises all aspects related to the project, including the viability of massive investments, it also keeps demanding results from India on the water-sharing issue. Bilateral talks during the visit also involved various other issues, with the two countries signing and renewing some agreements. One of the issues that drew significant speculations is rail connectivity, which the PM too addressed in her media briefing. The question that's being raised is, how much of it will really benefit Bangladesh? While greater regional connectivity via rail and road is important and should ideally benefit both Bangladesh and India, experts say the rail transit as it is being conceptualised will mostly benefit India.

There seems to be a widespread perception in Bangladesh that whatever connectivity projects have been implemented over the last few years have benefitted India more than they did Bangladesh, allowing the former greater and more strategic passage. Examples of Europe's rail connectivity clearly do not apply if the interests of all parties are not considered equally. The government, therefore, should approach the issue with greater caution with a more realistic and comprehensive assessment of the costs and benefits of such projects.

Another issue that has caught our attention is the agreement to initiate discussions on the renewal of the Ganges Water Agreement, which will expire in 2026. This is a positive development, and it is vital that the lessons of the past years are reflected in the renewal process. The Joint Rivers Commission should continue to work on the unresolved issues surrounding our common rivers, and Bangladesh must be able to protect its best interests in this and any future water-sharing treaty. We value our friendship with India, but we also believe that our mutual respect should result in equitable benefits in any bilateral issue. This is how the foundation of longstanding relations is kept intact.​