The Teesta River is an essential tributary of the Brahmaputra, originating from the Tso Lhamo Lake in Sikkim. This river flows through Sikkim and West Bengal in India before entering Bangladesh. The Teesta is vital for agriculture, supporting approximately 8.5% of Bangladesh’s population and contributing to 14% of its crop production.
In 2011, a proposed agreement was introduced suggesting that India would receive 42.5% of the Teesta's water, while Bangladesh would receive 37.5% during the dry season, which spans from December to March. However, the deal was stalled when West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opposed it, citing concerns regarding its impact on northern Bengal.
India and Bangladesh share a total of 54 rivers, making water-sharing a significant bilateral issue. The Ganga water-sharing treaty of 1996 was an important agreement in this context, while the Teesta has been a topic of negotiation since the 2010s.
The interim government in Bangladesh is eager to restart negotiations with India. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Bangladesh’s adviser on water resources, has emphasized the importance of finding an amicable solution based on international water-sharing norms. She also mentioned that Bangladesh might explore international legal avenues if a satisfactory agreement is not reached.
India has expressed concerns about how water sharing might affect its northern regions, particularly West Bengal. Conversely, Bangladesh is focused on ensuring a fair share of water to support its agricultural needs, advocating for adherence to international principles of equitable water distribution.
The Teesta water-sharing issue is a significant point of discussion in India-Bangladesh relations. Both nations have shown a desire to resolve the matter amicably, but it remains a sensitive topic that reflects the broader challenges of transboundary water management.
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