Jaishankar Backs Bihar’s Demands Ahead of Ganges Treaty Talks with Bangladesh
India has assured Bihar that its water needs will be considered before deciding on the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with Bangladesh. With the 30-year agreement set to expire in December, the development could affect the terms of Bangladesh’s next water-sharing arrangement in multiple ways.
In a Nutshell
- India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has said Bihar’s water needs will be considered before the Ganges treaty with Bangladesh is renewed.
- Bihar is seeking a greater consideration of its needs for drinking water, irrigation and industry.
- The 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty between Bangladesh and India expires in December 2026.
- The treaty sets out how the Ganges’ dry-season flow is shared at the Farakka Barrage.
- India has held discussions with Bihar and other stakeholders as it reviews the treaty’s future.
- Most importantly, for Bangladesh, the renewal will determine the framework for sharing Ganges water for the coming years.
Context
Bangladesh and India signed the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty in 1996 for a 30-year period. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, it regulates the sharing of the river’s dry-season flow at Farakka and is due to expire in December 2026.
The latest development comes after Bihar’s JD(U) leaders asked India’s central government to protect the state’s interests in any new agreement. Jaishankar has assured them of Bihar’s concerns and even held inter-ministerial discussions on the treaty’s implementation and future. For Bangladesh, the timing is important. The reason being, any change to the arrangement can affect dry-season water availability downstream.
Why It Matters
Bangladesh depends on the Ganges for water in its southwestern region, particularly during the dry season. The treaty provides the existing framework for how much water Bangladesh receives.
If India seeks to accommodate additional demands from Bihar and other upstream interests, Bangladesh will have to ensure its own water needs remain protected in the new arrangement. The renewal is therefore not just a diplomatic issue; it has direct implications for Bangladesh’s agriculture, ecosystems and communities dependent on the river.
What We Think
Bihar’s demands are now part of India’s domestic debate, but Bangladesh cannot afford to treat the renewal as India’s internal matter. Its priority should be securing a fair and reliable long-term water arrangement before the current treaty expires.