The Centre has assured Bihar that its concerns will form part of India’s considerations before any decision is taken on the renewal of the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty with Bangladesh.
The assurance came from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a letter dated August 28 to JD(U) national working president and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha. Jha had raised the issue through a Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha on August 6, seeking protection of Bihar’s interests in any future water-sharing arrangement.
Treaty Set to Expire in December
India and Bangladesh signed the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty on December 12, 1996. The agreement established a framework for sharing Ganga waters at the Farakka Barrage, particularly during the dry season.
The pact was signed for 30 years and is due to expire in December 2026, making its future a significant diplomatic and domestic policy issue for India.
Centre Has Held Consultations
In his letter, Jaishankar said the Union government fully understood the concerns raised over the Ganga Water Treaty.
He said inter-ministerial discussions had been held under the leadership of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, with different stakeholders participating in the review of the treaty’s implementation and future.
According to Jaishankar, authorised representatives of the Bihar government participated in consultations held in August and October 2023 and again in March and May 2024. The state’s drinking water and industrial requirements were among the issues considered during the discussions.
What Bihar Wants
Sanjay Jha and the JD(U) have opposed renewing the treaty in its existing form, arguing that Bihar’s interests were not adequately protected under the arrangement.
Jha has called for Bihar’s requirements for drinking water, irrigation, agriculture and industrial development to be factored into any future agreement. He has also stressed the need to consider the state’s projected water demand and population growth through 2050.
Jha Welcomes Centre’s Assurance
Jha welcomed Jaishankar’s response, describing it as reassuring for Bihar.
He said the state was not seeking any special favour but wanted the government to base its decision on scientific assessments and ensure that Bihar’s long-term water requirements were adequately protected.
A Sensitive Issue Ahead of Renewal Talks
The future of the Ganga treaty has significance beyond India-Bangladesh diplomacy. Any new arrangement will also have implications for Indian states dependent on the Ganga and its tributaries.
With the 2026 deadline approaching, New Delhi will have to balance its bilateral relationship with Bangladesh with the water requirements and concerns of states such as Bihar.
