Staff Reporter:
Chief Adviser’s High-powered Representative Dr Khalilur Rahman has sought optimum cooperation from India in renewing the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty as it is going to be expired in 2026.
“The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty is going to be expired next year, so we are hoping optimum coopera-tion of India (in renewing the pact),” he told a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka yesterday afternoon.
Dr Khalilur said Dhaka and New Delhi continue contact to each other so that talks over the renewal of the water treaty could be started as soon as possible.
The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed in 1996 between India and Bangladesh, is a 30-year agreement that specifies water sharing during the dry season (January-May) at Farakka, with a focus on ensuring a minimum flow for Bangladesh.
Responding to another question over water sharing of the Teesta River, the high representative said the life and livelihood of about 14 percent of the country’s people, who have been living in Teesta River basin, depends on availability of the Teesta’s water.
Ensuring minimum availability of river waters is one of the top priorities of the Bangladesh government, he said.
“We cannot put about 14 percent of the people in such a dire situation and that’s why we continue talks to all. We are asking India to sign the deal (the Teesta water sharing treaty),” Dr Khalilur said.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir were also present at the press briefing.
