Experts urge strategic preparation for upcoming Ganges water sharing talks with India
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Bangladesh must undergo rigorous preparation and define its precise water requirements and minimum flow thresholds before entering negotiations to renew the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India. Experts emphasized that future talks must account for the diverse interests of both nations, including seasonal water fluctuations, population growth, economic development, and the escalating impacts of climate change.
These recommendations were voiced during a seminar titled “Transboundary Water Sharing Issues and Padma Barrage,” hosted by the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) at North South University (NSU) on Sunday.
Shafiq Islam, a professor of water diplomacy at Tufts University in the United States, presented a concept paper arguing that Bangladesh must clearly identify its own national necessities while understanding India’s strategic concerns before the current treaty expires. He noted that while Bangladesh requires reliable water flow during the dry season, India faces different challenges, specifically flood and siltation issues in the state of Bihar and navigability concerns for the Kolkata Port in West Bengal. Islam urged for innovative, scientifically sound, and politically feasible solutions that can harmonize the conflicting needs of both countries.
Addressing the technical potential of infrastructure, Md. Ataur Rahman, a professor at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), noted that the construction of a proposed Padma Barrage could allow for water storage during the dry season. He argued that such a facility would revitalize the river systems in Bangladesh’s southwestern region, benefiting agriculture, fisheries, navigation, and biodiversity.
Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, an advisor to the Prime Minister for Finance and Planning, called for a resolution grounded in mutual respect and parity. Speaking as the chief guest, he stressed that upstream and downstream water management are inextricably linked. Titumir noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to engage with the Indian government, prioritizing a sustainable approach that protects the livelihoods of people on both sides of the border. He added that the Padma Barrage design aims to mitigate salinity, sustain agricultural productivity, and integrate renewable energy and hydropower potential.
Md. Saimum Parvez, a special assistant to the Prime Minister focusing on environment, forest, and climate change, argued that the Ganges water issue should not be treated merely as a bilateral dispute but as an integrated basin-wide management concern. He called for greater transparency regarding water quality, river ecology, and data sharing, asserting that national interest and food security must be secured through unified political resolve.
The seminar, chaired by NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, featured contributions from several experts, including former ambassador and SIPG Senior Research Fellow Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, and SIPG Director Professor Sheikh Tawfiq M. Haque. Professor Md. Sirajul Islam of the NSU Civil and Environmental Engineering Department moderated the proceedings.
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