The Teesta River project is a long-standing and complex issue involving the sharing of water from the Teesta River between India and Bangladesh .
Key Points:
- Background: The Teesta River originates in Sikkim, India, and flows through Bangladesh before joining the Jamuna River . Sharing its water has been a point of contention for a long time, significantly impacting the lives and livelihoods of people in the Rangpur region of Bangladesh .
- Stalled Water-Sharing Treaty: A formal water-sharing agreement has been delayed for years . In 2011, a draft agreement proposed an allocation of 42.5% of the Teesta’s water to India and 37.5% to Bangladesh during the lean season, but this was never finalized .
- West Bengal’s Concerns: Opposition from the West Bengal state government in India, particularly Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been a major obstacle to finalizing the treaty .
- Recent Developments:
- China’s Interest: China has expressed interest in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project in Bangladesh .
- Bangladesh’s Invitation to China: Bangladesh has welcomed Chinese companies’ participation in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project .
- India’s Prior Interest: Previously, India had also shown interest in supporting a mega-development project on the Teesta River within Bangladesh .
- Implications: Failure to reach a water-sharing agreement has affected the availability of water for irrigation, drinking, and other essential purposes in Bangladesh .
- Discussions with China: Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has discussed water management and the Teesta River project with Chinese President Xi Jinping, seeking China’s assistance in managing water resources .
- Possible Solutions: There have been discussions about a “50-year masterplan” for water management with China, including preserving river water, flood forecasting, and flood control .
In summary, the Teesta River water-sharing issue remains unresolved, with India and Bangladesh yet to finalize a formal agreement . China’s potential involvement in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project has added a new dimension to the situation .
