India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty (1996)
On
December 12, 1996, India’s then Prime Minister Shri. HD Deve Gowda and his Bangladeshi
counterpart, Smt. Sheikh Hasina, signed the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty for a 30-year
period which remains one of the most significant water-sharing agreements.
Now
after almost three decades when we are nearing the expiry of this treaty in
December 2026, let’s look at it from the perspective of dealing with climate
stress and water scare future.
Historical Background of the India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty (1996)
A
Timeline of the major events revolving around the treaty is described in the
image below.
Key Provisions of the India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty (1996)
Primary
focus on water flows during dry season i.e., from January to May
Water
sharing formula was decided based on 40 years average water flows at Farakka
Barrage-
- If water flow < 70000 cusecs- 50:50 sharing by India and Bangladesh
- If 70000 cusecs < water flow < 75000 cusecs – Bangladesh 35000 cusecs and balance India
- If water flow > 75000 cusecs- India 75000 cusecs and Bangladesh rest
- If water flow < 50000 cusecs- emergency adjustments
Daily
monitoring and submission of annual reports
Provision
of fail-safe mechanism
Challenges
At
the time of signing the treaty, climate change was not a major issue and therefore
was not central to the treaty dialogue.
Today,
unavoidable circumstances such as erratic monsoons, lean season flows and
rising water demands need much more attention.
Further,
river health, environmental flows and basin ecosystem were least considered or overshadowed
which are crucial for sustainable water governance systems.
Why
this India–Bangladesh
Ganga Water Sharing Treaty (1996) matters
The
treaty is one of the few examples in South-east Asia of sustained water
cooperation agreement and paves way for other water related disputes such as
the Teesta River. The synergy proved that despite challenges, willingness and
cooperation between the two sides to keep long-term humane and economic
relations can definitely solve long standing political problems and offers a
learning opportunity to other nations as well.
What to expect from renewal of the treaty in 2026, if at all it happens
In
my opinion, the government should consider shifting from rigid allocation-based
sharing to climate responsive mechanisms that adjusts through drought or extreme
low-flows seasons. Secondly, in this digital age, institutionalizing a
real-time data sharing by creating a joint digital hydrology platform would reduce
mistrust and improve and fasten decision making. Thirdly, integrate nearby states,
local governments, FPOs and fisher communities to reduce centre-state tensions.
Finally, river health and basin ecosystem should be incorporated in future
agreements.
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