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07/09/22 21:52 PM IST

India, Bangladesh ink first water-sharing pact in 25 years

In News 
  • India and Bangladesh  signed an interim water sharing agreement for Kushiyara river, the first such pact since the signing of the Ganga water treaty in 1996.
  • India and Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding on sharing of waters of Kushiyara river, a pact that will benefit people residing in southern Assam and the Sylhet division of Bangladesh.
Teesta River Dispute 
  • Teesta is a 414 km long river flowing from India to the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh. Almost half a dozen districts in West Bengal is dependent on this river.
  • Teesta river provides livelihood to approximately 73% of Bangladesh population as per a report furnished by Asia Foundation in 2013.
  • In 1983 a deal was proposed for equitable sharing but the implementation hit a roadblock. The mean annual flow of the river is 60 billion cubic metres. A significant amount of it flows during the monsoon season i.e. between June to September. During lean season i.e. from October to May, the flow is only 500 million cubic metres per month.
  • In the month from December to March, Bangladesh wants 50% of the water supply, whereas India has claimed a share of 55%.
  • In 2011, the agreement did not fructify due to objections from West Bengal Chief Minister. As per the constitution of India, Water is a state subject and approval of all the stakeholders is required for the deal to go ahead.
  • In 2019 External Affairs Minister of India had a meeting with his Bangladesh counterparts and they were still unable to reach a consensus on the water-sharing agreement.
India- Bangladesh 
  • Both enjoy a robust relationship. Bangladesh’s crackdown against anti-India outfits has helped the Indian government maintain peace in the eastern and Northeast states.
  • India also grants 15 to 20 lakh visas every year to Bangladesh nationals for medical treatment, tourism, work and just entertainment.
  • Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia. In 2018-19, India’s exports and imports with Bangladesh stood at USD 9.21 billion and USD 1.04 billion respectively.
  • Bangladesh has been a key partner for India in the Neighbourhood First Policy. Know about India’s Foreign Policy on the given link.
  • Both have cooperated on pandemic-related moves. Bangladesh supported India’s call for a regional (SAARC) emergency fund for fighting Covid-19 and declared a contribution of USD 1.5 million in March 2020. Check out the details on the South Asian Association for Regional Corporation- SAARC on the linked page.
  • The first trial run for trans-shipment of Indian cargo through Bangladesh to Northeast states under a pact on the use of Chittagong and Mongla ports took place in July 2020.
Origin of Teesta 
  • It originates from Tso Lhamo lake in Sikkim.
  • This lake is at an altitude of 5,330 metres. This lake is 118 km from Darjeeling.
  • As per some sources, in addition to Tso Lhamo, even Teesta Khangse Glacier is the source of origin of Teesta river.
  • It is located at an altitude of approximately 7000 metres.
Source- The Tribune

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