The Ganges Treaty at a Crossroads: What Lies Ahead for India-Bangladesh Water Sharing

BIPSS Research Assistant Jannatul Toba noted that the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty between India and Bangladesh stands at a decisive juncture as it nears expiry in 2026. While the Treaty once symbolized cooperation, it has exposed major flaws such as inequitable allocations, outdated flow data, and weak enforcement leaving Bangladesh vulnerable to dry-season shortages and environmental stress.

She emphasized that India’s hydro-hegemonic role and internal water politics will shape future negotiations, while Bangladesh must push for a renewed, climate-resilient framework emphasizing environmental flows, scientific data, and basin-wide cooperation. The Treaty’s renewal, she concluded, will test both nations’ political will and regional trust in managing shared water resources.