Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has expressed optimism that Bangladesh and India will conclude a new Ganges Water Sharing Treaty before the existing agreement expires on 12 December, with Dhaka seeking the restoration of a guarantee clause similar to the one included in the 1977 agreement.
“The 30-year tenure of this treaty expires on 12 December 2026. At this point, we must enter into a new agreement before 12 December,” Anee said.
He said Bangladesh and India were continuing discussions through the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) and expressed hope that the negotiations would result in a new agreement before the deadline.
“Accordingly, both Bangladesh and India are working continuously through the Joint Rivers Commission. Based on these meetings, we are hopeful that the treaty will be concluded before 12 December 2026,” he said.
The minister said restoring the guarantee clause would be a key priority for Bangladesh in the negotiations.
The first Ganges water-sharing agreement between Bangladesh and India was signed in 1977 for five years during the tenure of former president Ziaur Rahman and included a guarantee clause.
The 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed for 30 years, did not contain such a clause.
“Our priority there will be to reinstate the ‘Guarantee Clause’ similar to the 1977 treaty,” Anee said.
He said a new long-term agreement with a guarantee clause would provide greater certainty over water sharing and safeguard Bangladesh’s interests.
“Everyone agrees that by signing a new agreement, we can move forward for a longer term with the guarantee clause included,” he said.
The minister said the government would prioritise the treaty while protecting the interests of Bangladesh and its people.
Asked whether a ministerial-level meeting between Bangladesh and India would be held before the 12 December deadline, Anee said the technical-level discussions needed to be completed first.
“The technical team of the JRC is already working. Once their work is completed, the remaining process will be concluded at the ministerial level,” he said.
The existing Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was signed by Bangladesh and India in December 1996 for a 30-year term. It governs the sharing of Ganges water at Farakka during the dry season and is due to expire on 12 December 2026.
