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India and Bangladesh are continuing technical-level discussions on the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has said.
Speaking at a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on September 18, Jaiswal said the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) provides the mechanism for discussing water-related issues between the two countries, while technical-level meetings under the treaty continue.
The 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, signed for a 30-year term, is due to expire in December 2026.
The agreement governs the sharing of Ganges water between Bangladesh and India during the dry season, particularly from January 1 to May 31.
Jaiswal’s remarks came amid preparations for discussions on the future of the treaty.
Bangladesh has recently said it wants a new agreement rather than simply renewing the 1996 treaty, with Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee calling for guarantee clauses to ensure Bangladesh receives its due share of water during the dry season.
The two countries share 54 rivers, with water-related issues generally addressed through the JRC and other bilateral mechanisms.
