Dhaka:Highlighting the importance of sustained engagement with its neighbor, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam announced the formation of a high-level committee to negotiate a renewed Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India. The committee aims to safeguard Bangladesh's legitimate rights concerning the water-sharing agreement.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Shama emphasized that Bangladesh must continue discussions with India to pursue its legitimate demands and rights. She noted that securing what the country reasonably deserves requires sustained engagement, expressing hope that India will make the right decision.
The State Minister stated that the negotiations would be based on Bangladesh's legitimate demands, essential for the country and its people. She underscored the need for dialogue to resolve multiple issues with India, particularly concerning water resources.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently mentioned that issues concerning the Ganges treaty and other shared rivers would be discussed through the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC). He stated that technical-level meetings on the Ganges treaty had been ongoing.
The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed on December 12, 1996, is set to expire this year, prompting Bangladesh to seek a new or revised agreement that includes a guarantee clause for its share of dry-season flows. Bangladesh and India share 54 transboundary rivers, but the Ganges is the only one covered by a bilateral water-sharing agreement.
Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee expressed Bangladesh's preference for a new or revised Ganges agreement that guarantees its required share of water during the dry season. He highlighted the importance of restoring the guarantee clause from the 1977 agreement, which ensured Bangladesh received at least 80 percent of its scheduled share if the Ganges flow fell below projections.
Addressing the trade deficit with India, Shama emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve bilateral issues. She stressed that reducing the trade gap is a government priority and highlighted the importance of maintaining minimum relations to communicate with neighboring countries.