By Mir Abdul Alim

Bangladesh, a riverine country, relies heavily on its rivers for geography, agriculture, environment, and daily life. However, since its independence, Bangladesh has been persistently deprived of its rightful share of water due to India’s unilateral water withdrawal. Despite international laws advocating equitable distribution of transboundary river water, India continues to exploit its diplomatic and strategic advantages to control and divert water, pushing Bangladesh into environmental, economic, and humanitarian crises.

The Struggle for Water: Bangladesh’s Reality

Bangladesh shares 54 transboundary rivers with India. However, in most cases, India exerts its influence to withdraw water unilaterally. This results in severe floods during monsoons and extreme droughts in dry seasons, causing devastating impacts on Bangladesh’s agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

A prime example of this water aggression is the Farakka Barrage, commissioned in 1975 to regulate the flow of the Ganges. This has significantly reduced water flow to Bangladesh’s southwestern region, leading to the narrowing of the Padma River, declining agricultural productivity, lowering groundwater levels, and severe environmental consequences. Similarly, India exerts unilateral control over other major rivers such as the Teesta, Dharla, Mahananda, and Dudhkumar, exacerbating Bangladesh’s water crisis.

The Long-Awaited Teesta Agreement: Will Bangladesh Ever Get Justice?

The Teesta River is a lifeline for Bangladesh’s northern region. However, India's unilateral water withdrawal has caused extreme water shortages during dry seasons, leading to severe crises for agriculture and daily life. In 2011, Bangladesh and India reached a draft agreement on sharing the Teesta River’s water, but political indecisiveness in India has prevented its implementation. The West Bengal government’s opposition has stalled the deal, and the Indian central government has yet to take any decisive action.

Bangladesh has persistently engaged in diplomatic discussions, yet each time, it has received nothing but empty assurances. The critical question remains: How long will Bangladesh tolerate these diplomatic delays? Is India’s reluctance a strategic move to continue its dominance over transboundary water resources?

International Laws and Bangladesh’s Rights

Several international laws and treaties regulate the fair distribution of transboundary river water. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (1997), no country can unilaterally withdraw water from shared rivers. The principle of equitable and reasonable utilization must be upheld.

However, India continues to violate these international principles, leaving Bangladesh in a constant state of water crisis. Bangladesh must intensify its international advocacy efforts and exert diplomatic pressure on India to ensure a fair and just resolution.

The Devastating Impact of Water Scarcity in Bangladesh

Bangladesh's agriculture sector is heavily dependent on river water. The country’s key rice-producing regions suffer immense losses when water shortages occur, particularly during the Boro rice season, which requires extensive irrigation. As India unilaterally withdraws water, Bangladeshi farmers are forced to bear the burden of higher irrigation costs, increasing production expenses and food insecurity.

Beyond agriculture, the environmental impact is catastrophic. Northern Bangladesh is experiencing rapid desertification, while the Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna rivers are shrinking. The intensity of river erosion is worsening, rendering thousands of families homeless and jobless.

Bangladesh’s Diplomatic Message to India

Bangladesh and India share a long-standing friendly relationship. However, a true friendship cannot be one-sided. If India genuinely values its relationship with Bangladesh, it must commit to fair and just water-sharing policies.

Bangladesh prioritizes diplomatic negotiations to resolve disputes amicably. However, India must take Bangladesh’s concerns seriously and honor its commitments rather than offering repeated empty promises.

What Needs to Be Done?

1. Immediate Implementation of the Teesta Agreement – India must honor its commitment and finalize the Teesta water-sharing deal.

2. Stronger International Advocacy – Bangladesh must leverage the United Nations and other global platforms to demand its fair share.

3. Reevaluation of Existing Water Treaties – Agreements such as the Farakka Treaty must be reassessed to ensure fair distribution.

4. Public Awareness and Mobilization – Greater awareness and public engagement are essential to pressuring the government to prioritize this issue.

Final Thoughts

Bangladesh’s demand for water is not a plea for charity but a fundamental right. India must act responsibly, uphold international water laws, and treat Bangladesh as an equal partner in transboundary water management. Failure to resolve this crisis could escalate tensions, leading to severe regional consequences. Bangladesh must now raise its voice more assertively to ensure that water is recognized not as a political tool but as a basic human right.

The writer is a, Journalist & Social Researcher Secretary General, Columnist Forum of Bangladesh.