New Delhi, India – June 24, 2025 – India has announced its intention to renegotiate the Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh, set to expire in 2026, to address its growing developmental water needs, according to a report by The New Indian Express. The proposed new agreement is expected to span a shorter duration of 10 to 15 years, allowing both nations greater flexibility to adapt to future requirements. This move marks a significant shift in India’s water diplomacy as it seeks to balance regional cooperation with domestic priorities.

Why Renegotiate the Ganga Water Treaty?

Signed on December 12, 1996, the Ganga Water Treaty has governed the sharing of Ganga River waters between India and Bangladesh for nearly three decades. The treaty, primarily focused on water allocation at the Farakka Barrage during the dry season (January to May), has been a cornerstone of bilateral relations. However, India’s increasing water demands for agriculture, industry, and urban development have prompted the government to push for a revised agreement.

A senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs, cited in The New Indian Express, noted that India initially considered extending the treaty for another 30 years. However, geopolitical tensions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, and India’s growing water needs have led to a strategic rethink. The shorter 10- to 15-year deal aims to provide adaptability for both nations amid changing climatic and developmental landscapes.

Key Features of the Proposed Treaty

• Shorter Duration: Unlike the current 30-year treaty, the new agreement will likely last 10 to 15 years, enabling periodic reassessments to address evolving water needs and climate variability.
• Increased Water Allocation for India: India has communicated to Bangladesh its need for a larger share of Ganga waters to support developmental projects, particularly in states like West Bengal and Bihar, which rely heavily on the river for irrigation and drinking water.
• Flexibility for Future Needs: A shorter treaty duration will allow both countries to adjust water-sharing terms in response to environmental changes, population growth, and economic demands.

Support from Indian States

The central government’s decision has garnered support from key states. West Bengal, a primary beneficiary of additional Ganga water, has actively participated in internal discussions, with a senior state official confirming the need for more water to meet industrial and drinking demands. Bihar has also emphasized the importance of increased water allocation to address its irrigation and potable water requirements.

Challenges and Regional Dynamics

The renegotiation comes at a time of strained India-Bangladesh relations, exacerbated by the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024 and ongoing disputes over the Teesta River water-sharing agreement. Bangladesh has long criticized the 1996 treaty, arguing it favors India and fails to ensure adequate water flow during the dry season, impacting agriculture and ecosystems like the Sunderbans delta. Water experts have noted that Bangladesh received less than its stipulated share in 94 out of 300 cases between 1997 and 2016, underscoring the need for a more equitable and climate-resilient framework.

Public sentiment on X reflects mixed views. Some users support India’s push for a flexible treaty, viewing it as a pragmatic move to secure water for development. Others caution that unilateral actions, like the Indus Treaty suspension, could erode trust with neighbors, complicating negotiations with Bangladesh, a lower riparian state, has raised concerns about potential reductions in its water share, which could affect livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

Climate Change: A Critical Factor

Climate change has altered the Ganga’s flow patterns, with increased flooding during monsoons and severe shortages in the dry season. Experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) warn that river flows could decrease significantly after 2050, impacting 250 million people downstream. The renegotiated treaty must incorporate adaptive water allocation, robust data-sharing, and proactive flood management to ensure ecological resilience and equitable distribution.

What’s Next?

Technical discussions between India and Bangladesh have already begun, with the Joint Rivers Commission meeting in Kolkata on March 6, 2025, to review water flow data at Farakka Barrage. The outcome of these talks will shape not only water-sharing but also broader India-Bangladesh relations. A successful negotiation could pave the way for cooperation on other transboundary rivers, while failure risks escalating tensions in an already volatile region.

India’s push for a shorter, more flexible Ganga Water Treaty reflects its strategic focus on securing resources for growth while navigating complex regional dynamics. As the 2026 deadline approaches, all eyes are on New Delhi and Dhaka to forge a deal that balances development, equity, and sustainability.

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