Dhaka, Delhi urged to renew Ganges treaty, sign new Teesta treaty

The International Farakka Committee (IFC) recently urged Dhaka and Delhi to renew the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty and sign a treaty on the Teesta with guarantee and arbitration clauses.

Announcing a joint statement on Saturday at the National Press Club, Dhaka, IFC Bangladesh President Prof Jasim Uddin Ahmed said that the 54 common rivers shared among the countries could be sustainably developed only based on a basin-wide agreement.

The press briefing was also addressed by IFC Convener Mostafa Kamal Majumder, writer and researcher Sirajuddin Sathi, Tamijuddin Ahmed, IFC Bangladesh Vice President Dr Nazma Ahmad, and journalist Rafiqul Islam Azad.

The statement mentioned that the water treaties signed by India with other countries of the subcontinent – Nepal and Pakistan – contain guarantee and arbitration clauses.

As a result, the Indus and Mahakali water treaties have been able to protect mutual interests. On the other hand, the Ganga Water Treaty signed with Bangladesh has not fulfilled the terms.

Because of this error, the relationship between the two friendly countries has not developed as expected.