look news india
Amidst the age-old friendship and diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, a very big and important news is coming out regarding the Ganga Water Treaty. This historic 30-year water treaty signed in 1996 is going to end soon, due to which Bangladesh was hoping to extend it without any conditions. However, according to the big news coming from the political corridors of New Delhi, India has sent a very clear and strong message to Dhaka. The Government of India has made it clear that this treaty will not be taken forward blindly, but before renewing it, every small and big issue will be thoroughly investigated technically and diplomatically at the ground level.
Changing circumstances of three decades and India’s new strategy
In fact, in the last 30 years, the ground conditions have completely changed due to the water level of River Ganga, the needs of the population of both the countries and climate change. According to sources in the Indian Water Resources and External Affairs Ministry, India wants to keep the interests of the country’s farmers and states, especially West Bengal, paramount before taking any steps this time. This is why India has made it clear that before renewing the treaty, water availability, siltation (soil deposition) and data of the last three decades will be closely studied. This stand of India shows that now there will be no compromise with national interests in diplomacy.
The whole mystery from Teesta River to Mamata Banerjee’s veto
The problem behind this entire treaty is not limited only to the Ganga river, but it also includes the Teesta water dispute and the tough stance of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The state government has always believed that giving excess water to Bangladesh would lead to drought or flood like situations in the districts of North and South Bengal. This time the Central Government is in a mood to sit at the table taking the State Governments into full confidence and only after the technical review is completed. This strict and pragmatic stance of India has forced the policy makers of Bangladesh to think, because they wanted to finalize this treaty as soon as possible without any changes.
Will relations between the two countries sour or will a middle path be found?
Experts believe that this reply of India is definitely a big blow for Bangladesh, but it is very important for the future sustainable cooperation between the two countries. India has not closed the doors of negotiations, but has sought to make it more transparent and equitable. Now the ball is completely in Bangladesh’s court on how quickly and positively it responds to the technical issues raised by India and the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) review report. The high-level meetings to be held in the coming months will decide in what new form this largest water treaty of South Asia appears before the world.
