Ganga Water Treaty: MEA clarifies stance on river sharing with Bangladesh
MEA clarifies that river sharing matters with Bangladesh are handled via the Joint River Commission amid reports of agreement reviews.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that all matters pertaining to the Ganga Water Treaty and other shared water bodies between India and Bangladesh are managed through an established institutional framework. Responding to recent developments, the MEA emphasized that discussions regarding these vital water resources continue at a technical level through the Joint River Commission.
The Role of the Joint River Commission
Addressing queries regarding Bangladesh's potential plans to review existing agreements, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the existing mechanism designed to handle bilateral river issues. He noted that the Joint River Commission serves as the primary platform for addressing concerns related to the Ganga and other rivers shared by the two nations.
“For the Ganga Water Treaty, and also for other rivers that we share between Bangladesh and India, we have a joint river commission, and all matters relating to rivers will be discussed as part of this river commission,” Jaiswal stated. He further added that technical-level meetings regarding the Ganga Water Treaty are ongoing.
Context of the Review Claims
The MEA's comments follow statements made by Nurul Islam Moni, the Chief Whip of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament). On September 19, Moni indicated that the Bangladeshi government is currently conducting a comprehensive review of 101 agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with India. The objective of this review is to identify any inconsistencies and ensure that all bilateral arrangements serve the interests of both countries.
Key points from the Bangladeshi official's statement include:
- No Cancellation Planned: Moni clarified that there is no intention to cancel the existing agreements.
- Addressing Inconsistencies: The review aims to identify provisions that might be contrary to Bangladesh's interests so they can be resolved.
- Departmental Review: Relevant ministries and departments in Bangladesh are tasked with examining the documents.
- Future Discussions: Formal discussions with India will only be initiated if specific inconsistencies are identified during the internal review process.
India's Official Position
While New Delhi has acknowledged media reports concerning the review of these 101 agreements, the MEA has noted that no formal communication has been received from Dhaka regarding this matter. Speaking at a separate briefing earlier this month, Jaiswal remarked, “We also have seen some media reports on this matter, but nothing has been conveyed to us officially. Obviously, India will take all necessary actions to protect its interests.”
The relationship between the two neighbors involves complex bilateral arrangements, including critical connectivity projects. These include India's access to the Chattogram and Mongla ports in Bangladesh, which are essential for transporting cargo to India's northeastern states.