India-Bangladesh Water Sharing Disputes Intensify as Ganges Treaty Expires

India-Bangladesh water sharing disputes have intensified as Indian MP Nishikant Dubey criticizes the Ganges Treaty, highlighting growing nationalist rhetoric over transboundary water rights. The 1996 agreement, set to expire in 2026, faces renegotiation amid ecological and political pressures, with Bangladesh seeking to strengthen its legal position through international frameworks.

What is the Ganges Treaty and Why Is It Important?

The 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty between India and Bangladesh guaranteed Bangladesh dry-season flows at the Farakka Barrage, marking a landmark in South Asian hydrodiplomacy. However, the agreement has faced scrutiny as India’s domestic priorities increasingly overshadow cooperative principles, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

What Are the Ecological and Economic Impacts on Bangladesh?

Bangladesh, which sources over 90% of its freshwater from rivers originating in India, faces severe ecological degradation. Reduced flows have caused riverbank erosion, salinity intrusion in coastal areas, and declining agricultural productivity, according to the Bangladesh Water Development Board. Farmers in northern Bangladesh report shrinking irrigation supplies, while the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem suffers biodiversity loss due to rising salinity levels.

How Is Bangladesh Responding to Water Security Challenges?

Bangladesh has adopted a more assertive diplomatic stance, acceding to the UNECE Water Convention in 2025—the first South Asian country to join the framework. This move aims to internationalize its water concerns and strengthen legal leverage, as reported by the UNECE. Additionally, the government approved the Padma Barrage project in 2026 to enhance water storage, though critics warn of potential ecological risks similar to the Farakka Barrage.

What Are the Risks of the Ganges Treaty Expiration?

India has signaled that climate change and rising domestic demand may necessitate renegotiating terms, potentially reducing Bangladesh’s share. Bangladesh has long demanded joint monitoring of flows at Farakka, citing concerns over unverified diversions, according to the Bangladesh Ministry of Water Resources. Establishing transparent data-sharing mechanisms is critical to rebuilding trust, as emphasized by the International Water Management Institute.

How Do Regional Geopolitical Dynamics Affect Water Politics?

China’s dam-building on the Brahmaputra and Nepal’s hydropower projects complicate South Asia’s river politics. India’s unilateralism risks destabilizing regional cooperation, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Bangladesh must navigate these dynamics while advocating for basin-wide agreements covering all 54 shared rivers, not just the Ganges and Teesta.

What Is the Path Forward for Bangladesh?

Bangladesh must balance firm diplomacy with domestic preparedness. The government should prioritize environmental safeguards for projects like the Padma Barrage and invest in water-efficient agriculture, as recommended by the World Bank. Strengthening research and data collection will enhance bargaining power, while civil society can amplify public debate on water politics, according to the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies.

Why Does the Ganges Treaty Expiration Matter Globally?

The treaty’s expiration is a watershed moment for South Asian water politics, with implications for food security, biodiversity, and regional stability. If rivers become instruments of cooperation, they can sustain livelihoods; if not, conflicts could escalate, according to the United Nations Development Programme. The choices made by India and Bangladesh will shape the region’s future for decades.