India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Dispute Resurfaces as Treaty Nears Expiry

Dhaka. The dispute between India and Bangladesh over the sharing of Ganga river water has once again surfaced. As the deadline for the 'Ganga Water Treaty' signed between the two countries in 1996 is about to expire this December, Bangladesh has put forward a demand to include a 'guarantee provision' in the new treaty to ensure a minimum supply of water.

Bangladesh has indicated that it will raise the issue in international forums if necessary to protect its water rights. State Minister for Water Resources, Zahid Faruk Shamim, made Bangladesh's stance public at a program titled 'Ganga Water Treaty: Issues for Reconsideration' organized in Dhaka on Tuesday. The program was organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs.