Context
The 1996 India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty is due to expire on 31 December 2026. India has indicated that Bihar’s concerns, including the impact of upstream siltation and water availability, will be considered while deciding the treaty’s future.
Explanation
- The Ganga Water Treaty, 1996 governs the sharing of Ganga waters at Farakka between India and Bangladesh during the dry season.
- It was signed for a 30-year period, making its renewal a major bilateral issue in 2026.
- Farakka Barrage in West Bengal regulates flows towards the Bhagirathi-Hooghly system and influences downstream water availability.
- Bihar has raised concerns that altered river flows and silt accumulation may worsen flooding, sedimentation and riverbed aggradation upstream.
- India’s approach involves inter-ministerial consultations led by the Jal Shakti Ministry and participation of affected States.
- The issue highlights the importance of upper-riparian and lower-riparian interests, hydrology, irrigation, navigation and ecological flows in transboundary river management.
- India and Bangladesh share 54 transboundary rivers, making water cooperation an important part of bilateral relations.
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