Weeks before expiry of Ganga Water Treaty, MEA says ‘structured mechanism’ remains in place for pact
MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterates that India has invited the Bangladesh Prime Minister to visit New Delhi but that there is neither any ‘update’ on the treaty’s renewal nor on the dates for the trip
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Context
The between India and Bangladesh, signed in 1996, is set to expire on December 12. The has highlighted the as the established framework to manage discussions, amidst uncertainty regarding the treaty's renewal due to a lack of response from the Bangladeshi leadership.
UPSC Perspectives
International Relations
The impending expiration of the highlights the complexities of transboundary water management and its profound impact on bilateral relations. The treaty, signed in 1996 by Prime Ministers H.D. Deve Gowda and Sheikh Hasina, established a 30-year water-sharing arrangement for the dry season (January 1 to May 31). The current diplomatic situation, characterized by the Bangladeshi Prime Minister's unresponsiveness to Indian invitations, underscores the crucial role of political will in maintaining transboundary agreements. The , established in 1972, serves as the primary institutional mechanism for discussing cross-boundary river issues, including the Ganga. However, the renewal of such a significant treaty typically requires high-level political engagement. A failure to renew or extend the treaty could escalate tensions, especially considering historical grievances in Bangladesh regarding water availability. For UPSC, understanding the dynamics of hydro-diplomacy and the mechanisms for resolving inter-state and international water disputes is essential.
Geographical
The Ganga river basin is one of the most densely populated regions globally, making equitable water sharing critical for both India and Bangladesh. The focuses specifically on the flow of water at the in West Bengal, India, before the river enters Bangladesh. The treaty guarantees a minimum flow to Bangladesh during the critical dry season, essential for agriculture, navigation, and mitigating salinity intrusion in the Sundarbans. The geographical reality of India being an upper riparian state and Bangladesh a lower riparian state inherently creates a complex dynamic, often leading to concerns from the lower riparian regarding water diversion. The functioning of the , designed to flush out silt from the Hooghly river to maintain the navigability of the Kolkata port, has been a historical point of contention. For the exam, candidates should map the major transboundary rivers between India and its neighbors and understand the geographical and hydrological factors influencing water treaties.
Polity & Governance
The governance of transboundary rivers involves complex interactions between international law and domestic political compulsions. While the under grants the Parliament the power to make laws for implementing international treaties, the management of water resources often involves state governments, particularly West Bengal in the context of the Teesta and Ganga rivers. The lack of a formal, updated treaty could lead to uncertainty and potential legal disputes. The anticipation of an 'automatic short-term renewal' by Bangladeshi diplomatic sources indicates a reliance on customary practices when formal negotiations stall. However, the absence of clear communication from the Indian side creates ambiguity. Furthermore, the mention of internal unrest in Bangladesh, specifically protests by readymade garment industry workers, highlights how domestic instability can impact foreign policy and engagement on crucial bilateral issues. For UPSC, candidates must analyze the role of cooperative federalism in shaping foreign policy, particularly concerning resources shared by border states.