Bangladesh and India are scheduled to hold a crucial meeting in New Delhi on September 9 to discuss the renewal of the landmark Ganges Water Sharing Treaty.
Officials from both sides will attend the meeting, which will be held within the framework of the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC).
According to sources, Bangladesh’s delegation will be led by Mohammad Abul Hossain, a member of the JRC. The talks will primarily focus on extending the 1996 Ganges treaty, which is due to expire in 2026.
As part of a long-standing bilateral mechanism, Bangladesh and India convene twice annually to discuss transboundary water management, especially concerning the Ganges.
The upcoming session follows a series of engagements held earlier this year, including a JRC meeting in Delhi in March and another in Kolkata on March 6–7.
The 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed between the two countries, was a milestone agreement to regulate the equitable distribution of Ganges waters during the lean season. The 30-year treaty is set to lapse in 2026, prompting both governments to initiate discussions on its renewal since June 2024.
In addition to the Ganges, Bangladesh and India share 54 rivers, but no formal agreement exists on water-sharing for any of them beyond the Ganges. The long-pending Teesta water-sharing deal remains unresolved, primarily due to opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, despite efforts by the central government in New Delhi.
During a Foreign Office Consultation held in Dhaka in December, the foreign secretaries of both countries discussed the issue of renewing the Ganges treaty in depth. Then, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin emphasized the importance of initiating the renewal process well before the treaty’s expiration.
The Joint Committee on the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty continues to meet regularly. The 85th session was held in Dhaka in November last year, while the 86th session took place in Kolkata in March, followed by technical-level discussions. These forums have laid the groundwork for the upcoming September meeting.
With the 2026 deadline approaching, both nations are expected to intensify negotiations to ensure a seamless extension of the treaty, seen as a cornerstone of bilateral water cooperation.
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