Bangladesh has expressed concerns regarding the longstanding Teesta water-sharing agreement and its potential impact on friendly relations with India. Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee highlighted the necessity for New Delhi to consider Dhaka’s interests while pursuing its own objectives. The minister voiced these thoughts during a seminar in Dhaka held on August 18, 2026, amid ongoing efforts to advance the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project with support from China.

Anee asserted that both countries should protect each other’s interests. He noted, “A friend should protect the interests of a friend. We never want our friendly relations with them to deteriorate,” reflecting the need for cooperation in addressing mutual concerns surrounding the Teesta River.

Focus on Teesta River Management Project

The Teesta issue has become a significant challenge for both nations, particularly in light of the severe floods and dry-season water shortages faced by northern Bangladesh. Anee stated that the government has organised numerous seminars and consultations since February to gather expert input on the proposed project. He indicated that a detailed study based on these recommendations would provide a roadmap for necessary actions.

During the seminar, titled “Sustainable Management of the Teesta River,” Anee conveyed the high expectations that citizens in several northern districts have towards the initiatives aimed at mitigating river erosion and other hazards. “If we fail to implement it, the damage and problems faced by families in those areas will continue to increase,” he warned, emphasising the urgency of overcoming these challenges.

Minister Anee also noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman regularly discusses progress on the Teesta project, while inter-ministerial meetings are held to review advancements. The minister stressed the necessity for an agreement concerning the Teesta, whether termed a treaty or a master plan, to facilitate the project’s implementation.

Historical Context of the Teesta Water Sharing Issue

The Teesta River, which originates in the Himalayas and flows through India before entering Bangladesh, has been a point of contention in water management between the two countries for decades. Since the 1980s, discussions on sharing its waters have taken place, but no comprehensive agreement has been successfully established. An interim arrangement in 1983 allocated 39 per cent of the water to India and 36 per cent to Bangladesh, leaving the remaining 25 per cent unallocated.

In 2011, a draft interim agreement was prepared, but it faced opposition from the West Bengal government concerning its implications for water availability in the state. Despite these challenges, the urgency for a treaty continues, with Minister Anee maintaining that a sustainable resolution is critical for both nations.

Bangladesh’s pivot towards seeking assistance from China for the Teesta project introduces a strategic dimension to the ongoing discussions. Following Prime Minister Rahman’s visit to Beijing in June, the Chinese leadership expressed support for expediting the technical feasibility study regarding the restoration project, thereby highlighting alternative avenues for progress.

India, for its part, has reiterated that any resolution should involve discussions with all stakeholders, including West Bengal. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underscored that India’s stance on the project has already been communicated to Bangladesh, indicating the necessity of considering all relevant developments in approaching the Teesta matter. While the Teesta issue remains unresolved, it persists separately from the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty signed by the two nations in 1996, which is set to expire in December 2026.

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