India and Bangladesh, two neighbouring countries with longstanding ties spanning multiple domains, have a history of agreements and disputes with each other, with water sharing being one of them. Water disputes have been a source of contention all over the world between the countries that share water bodies. India and Bangladesh are one amongst the many, and the Teesta River is the crucial source of tension between the two. Being a major source of agriculture and sustenance in both the countries, the allocation of its waters has been a historical problem. The Teesta River dispute consequently has its effects on all other domains, including economic, geographic, and geopolitical areas. Thereafter, it also reflects its consequences on the bilateral relationship between both the countries as well.
Background of the Dispute
Originating in the eastern Himalayas in the state of Sikkim in India, the Teesta River flows through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh, where it merges with the Brahmaputra River. Although the 1996 Ganges Water Treaty governs the water sharing of Teesta River between India and Bangladesh, there is an absence of a formal agreement of the same.
In 2011, a deal was proposed and negotiated between both, but was never signed because of the West Bengal government’s opposition. According to the proposal, 42.5% of the share will belong to India, and 37.5% will go to Bangladesh. The West Bengal government claimed that this division would hamper the agricultural practices, especially the irrigation in the Northern part of the state. Due to this resistance, the proposal never came into force, and the dispute remains unresolved to this day.
The Diplomatic Ramifications
It is rightly said that the relations between any two countries are interconnected across multiple spheres. Any rise or fall in the relation in one domain often spill over into other domains as well. This crucial dispute between India and Bangladesh is no exception, and has significant diplomatic implications in other areas of bilateral relationship they share.
Historically, both countries have maintained friendly relations, and this has been exemplified in India’s role in helping Bangladesh to gain independence in 1971. However, the unresolved issue of the water sharing dispute has put a blot in this relation, with Bangladesh showing discontent over the lack of any agreement. This is because Bangladesh faces water shortage, especially during the dry season, impacting agriculture and related activities.
This has been further aggravated by the interplay of domestic politics in both the countries. While Bangladeshi government has been continuously pushing for more share of water to support its agriculture, the Indian side faces resistance from the state government of West Bengal, as giving more share to Bangladesh will harm the agriculture in the Indian state.
Additionally, India and Bangladesh both are a part of various regional organisations like South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi – Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Although these organizations aim to foster mutual respect and collaboration between all the member countries, but the unresolved tensions between both these countries hinder these objectives, leading to broader regional dissatisfaction.
With all these complications going on between India and Bangladesh, we can also see Bangladesh slowly drifting towards China, since China has proposed significant investments in large scale projects in Bangladesh. In this way, China is strengthening its ties with Bangladesh, much to the dismay of India, as India China relations remain strained, and China’s theory of ‘String of Pearls’ which aims to encircle India geopolitically from all the directions. This complicates the situation even more, further straining the relations between India and Bangladesh extending beyond water sharing.
What can be Done Next?
For any two countries to maintain a balanced relation with each other, it is important to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions. The same is applicable in the case of India and Bangladesh, and requires flexible approach and cooperative outlook from both the sides.
Nothing can be achieved without compromises done from both the sides. India and Bangladesh should revive their dialogue and negotiations involving the central government of both the countries as well as the West Bengal government, and make compromises so that the needs of both countries can be achieved, and both can arrive at a mutually acceptable decision. Also, a joint authority for water management can be established by both the countries, that can meet regularly, and can help in the distribution of water between both the countries. This will ensure long term diplomatic engagement as well as sustainability in this historical dispute.
From the Indian side, the central government can engage and work more closely with the West Bengal government so as to address its concerns and find possible solutions to it. Proper advanced technologies can be introduced, such as advanced water conservation methods, better irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, etc., so that the issues of water scarcity can be mitigated. The same can be implemented in Bangladesh’s side as well.
Additionally, scientists, environmentalists, and farmers should be engaged in discussions, as they can put forward the ground reality as well as their practical views that will help the government on both the sides to arrive at a more sustainable, informed and people friendly solution, and ensure that the water allocation is proper and according to the needs of the people.
Furthermore, a formal treaty or agreement must come into force without any further delay regarding the same. This will help in placing some rules and regulations after proper discussion and debate by authorities of both the countries. It will be mandatory for both countries to abide by these rules, minimizing the conflicts as we can see in today’s scenario.
The role of regional organizations like SAARC and BIMSTEC also comes into play here. These platforms have an enhanced role and can help to arrive at a more diplomatic and practical solution, by engaging with both countries and negotiating between them on common grounds, like arriving at a formal agreement or promoting a broader water sharing framework. This can help prevent further escalation of tensions.
The Need of the Hour
With the continuous strain in the relation between India and Bangladesh, the resolution for this long standing dispute can be turned into an opportunity for enhanced cooperation. It is very clear that the Teesta River dispute is a critical challenge that needs proper attention and an immediate resolution.
The consequence of this dispute extends beyond water sharing, and the resolution requires a more diplomatic approach as well as enhanced cooperation between both the countries. By introducing a mutually acceptable solution and a more sustainable agreement, it will not only resolve the water dispute, but also strengthen the bilateral relations, promoting cooperation in other domains as well.
In conclusion, it can be said that it is the need of the hour for both India and Bangladesh to prioritise collaboration over contention. Individually, both countries are prolonging the dispute, aggravating the tensions. In contrast, together they can not only resolve the issue, but can also set an example for the world with their effective model of transboundary water management.
About Author - Shubhi Malhotra is a passionate scholar of Defence and Strategic Studies at DAV College, Kanpur. Having successfully qualified the UGC-NET, she now sets her sights on a Ph.D., driven by a vision to shape the discourse on Military Affairs and leave a lasting impact in the world of strategic thought and national security.