After the ganges water treaty, the teesta river has become a source of discord. The indus waters treaty is a water distribution treaty between india and pakistan, brokered by the world bank, to use the water available in the indus system of rivers. Gorkhaland, and the save the buri teesta movement in bangladesh are also significant issues tied to the bilateral relations between the two riparian nations. The ex indian prime minister indira gandhi and bangladeshs founding leader sheikh mujibur rahman signed the wideranging indobangladeshi treaty of friendship, cooperation and peace on 19 march 1972. It is an important irrigation source for paddy farmers on both sides. Comprehensive nuclear testban treaty organization hereinafter referred to as the organization to achieve the object and purpose of this treaty, to ensure the implementation of its provisions, including those for international verification of compliance with it, and to provide a forum for consultation and cooperation among states parties. What are the disputes over indiabangladesh teesta deal. The paper focuses on the geopolitics of water conflicts of the teesta basin.
Teesta barrage project is one of the major gravity irrigation projects in bangladesh diverting water from teesta river by barrage. Political economy analysis of the teesta river basin the asia. Water treaties international agreements on international. Jun 23, 2014 first is the teesta river water treaty. With help of this water, bangladeshi farmers already have three cropping seasons per year. Avtar singh bhasin 2003 indiabangladesh relations documents 19712002. The indus waters treaty iwt was signed in karachi on 19 september 1960 by jawaharlal nehru and then ayub khan the treaty gives control over the waters of the three eastern rivers the beas, ravi and sutlej. The teesta river dispute makes headlines every time there is a bilateral talk between india and bangladesh. Why indus waters treaty is a bad bargaining chip for india. Bangladesh pm sheikh hasina blames mamata banerjee for teesta treaty failure bangladesh prime minister sheikh hasina on sunday said though prime minister manmohan singh had made positive remarks on the deal, the signing had to be cancelled following lastminute objections raised by the west bengal chief minister mamata banerjee. The teesta river dispute explained in 10 points india. Teesta, tipaimukh and river linking india water portal. India, bangladesh sign deal on oil pipeline, discuss teesta. Another dispute on water sharing is linked with teesta river started in 1979 with the beginning of.
Thus, negotiating new transboundary water treaties amongst south asias riparian countries has become a daunting task, and enforcing existing ones remains a. Impact of teesta river water sharing environmental sciences essay. Latest and breaking news on teesta water sharing treaty. Now that india is planning its largest water storage reservoir till date on that river, the river has become a means of discord not only between india and bangladesh but also within india. The indian prime ministers visit to bangladesh is considered a failure in public perception in bangladesh because his visit was much hyped as the heart of resolving longstanding water sharing issue on the teesta river. Teesta basin case study anumita raj strategic foresight. It originates in sikkim and through the northern west bengal, it enters into bangladesh to meet brahmaputra. Jul 31, 2017 the teesta river basin is widely known for the indobangladesh watersharing dispute and the political tussle between the government of west bengal and indias central government on giving. In recent years teesta water sharing treaty has been one of the major issues. Transboundary water issues between bangladesh and india. Likelihood of agreement on teesta water sharing harun ur rashid on the last week of may 2018, indian external affairs minister sushma swaraj said that the signing of an agreement on sharing teesta water would not be possible without taking west bengal on board. Teesta river or tista river is a 315 km 196 mi long river that rises in the eastern himalayas. It has already started contributing in poverty alleviation of mass people of the area through accelerated economic growth the project phasei been planned, designed and implemented by the local engineers, planners. The indus waters treaty is a waterdistribution treaty between india and pakistan, brokered by the world bank, to use the water available in the indus system of rivers.
It is an example of equitable sharing of water resource. Daily lecture series by vimal singh rathore 23 lessons 3 h 33 m. Ufa made a sincere effort to resolve at least two outstanding issues the lba and the teesta water sharing treaty. Geopolitics of water conflicts in the teesta river basin. As per the treaty between india and bangladesh, signed in 1996, for. Mamatas riverforariver bargain a tactic to delay teesta. The dispute is regarding water sharing of river teesta.
Nov 22, 2015 teesta barrage project is one of the major gravity irrigation projects in bangladesh diverting water from teesta river by barrage. In india, it flows through the cities of rangpo, kalimpong, jalpaiguri and mekhliganj. The text of the treaty, taken from a certified true copy provided by one of the depositary governments, is reproduced below for the convenience of all members. Finally, in december 1996, a 30 years treaty on sharing of ganges waters was concluded which was. This research is thus structured around two main aims. Shared watercourses and water security in south asia. Early conclusion of teesta accord is in the strategic interest of india. Ganges water treaty, indobangladesh river water dispute. Yesterday, prime minister narendra modi conveyed to bangladesh pm sheikh hasina his hopes for an early solution to the teesta waters dispute. Water diplomacy teesta river agreement between india. India, bangladesh sign deal on oil pipeline, discuss. For india the importance of bangladesh south asia analysis. Sherpas expert political aides of both countries met several times to find a solution to demarcate the border which was an extremely complex job.
The teesta river dispute explained in 10 points india news. Teesta water sharing treaty, it was in vain as mamata. Under the indus water treaty 1960, negotiated by the world bank, india was granted. Life here includes not just life of every human being but life of. Bangladesh may be the first foreign destination for indias next prime minister narendra modi, diplomatic sources here say. Explore teesta water sharing treaty profile at times of india for photos, videos and latest news of. Geopolitics of water conflicts in the teesta river. Geopolitics is the study of the relationship between geographical factors and variables, and politics. The issue grabbed the lime light when the west bengal chief minister refused to accompany the indian prime ministers delegation to bangladesh in september 2011 for signing of the teesta river water sharing treaty, thereby leading to a political deadlock on the issue. Pdf this paper assesses the bangladeshindia watersharing disputes which date back to the early 1970s with. The analysis will also focus on how discourses on both sides of the border highlight the issue. Vimal is teaching the teesta water sharing issue an important topic for all the govt.
For example, the indus water treaty allows india to use approximately 20% of the water since the area under irrigation and population dependent on it are close to that ratio. Isas insights institute of south asian studies nus. To investigate the intensity of conflicts through the hydrohegemony framework, between the two nuclear powers. Hence, even if the teesta basin in bangladesh covers only 2004 km 2 area inhabited by 9. The dispute is regarding the sharing of the river waters. Teesta river dispute between india and bangladesh explained. Teesta, tipaimukh and river linking danger to bangladeshindia relations imtiaz ahmed the supreme courts verdict directing the government of india. Bangladeshs largest irrigation project teesta barrage began. Kalyan rudra warns that ecological disturbances in the teesta basin are unwarranted.
Both leaders met in the indian capital on 12 december 1996 and signed a 30year, comprehensive treaty. Water treaties carries the full text of treaties and agreements, bilateral and multilateral, concluded by sovereign countries in regard to the development and management of rivers and lakes, andor of groundwater resources, which form an international boundary line or which are bisected by such boundary line. The teesta river is shared by india and bangladesh. As renowned water expert peter gleick points out, the majority of such treaties are bilateral, thus many affected states may not be a party to specific treaty agreements. A very interesting example in this regard is the sharing of the teesta river between india and bangladesh.
Text of the treaty the states concluding this treaty, hereinafter referred to as the parties to the treaty, considering the devastation that would be visited upon all mankind by a nuclear war and. According to article 9 ix of the ganges water treaty both countries agreed to conclude water sharing treaties with regard to other common rivers. Teesta water sharing treaty, it was in vain as mamata bannerji, chief minister of west bengal, was not willing to give more than 25 percent of water to. Nov 28, 2017 the teesta river is the only major source of water for most of the division. The formation of an awami league government under sheikh hasina wajed, the daughter of sheikh mujib, in 1996 led to a fresh thaw in bilateral relations and both nations restarted negotiations. Indus waters treaty and resolution of water conflicts between. Sikkim are two states in india that depend on the teesta for irrigation and. Why indus waters treaty is a bad bargaining chip for india indus water treaty of september 19, 1960, between india and pakistan, is one of the most liberal water sharing pacts in the world. The teesta river water issue between india and bangladesh. Teesta river or tista river is a 315 km 196 mi long river that rises in the eastern himalayas, flows through the indian states of sikkim and west bengal through bangladesh and enters the bay of bengal. Mamta bannerjee refused to support the treaty on flimsy grounds, leading to a loss of face for the indian government, and political setback for sheikh hasina and her government. When we use water from any source, we should be mindful of its impact in the larger ecosystem. It forms the border between sikkim and west bengal.
The indus waters treaty iwt was signed in karachi on 19 september 1960 by jawaharlal nehru and then ayub khan. Apr 10, 2018 india and bangladesh today inked six mous, including one for the construction of a 129. A very interesting example in this regard is the sharing of the. The withdrawal of water is from river feni which flows through the state of tripura. The importance of power and water in the economic development of a country is undeniable.
May 11, 2014 bangladesh pm sheikh hasina blames mamata banerjee for teesta treaty failure bangladesh prime minister sheikh hasina on sunday said though prime minister manmohan singh had made positive remarks on the deal, the signing had to be cancelled following lastminute objections raised by the west bengal chief minister mamata banerjee. Even when treaty obligations exist, datasharing practices are ad hoc, and the range of information shared is limited. This article gives a broad insight on the river water sharing dispute, a timeline of various commissions formed, proposed. Impact of teesta river water sharing environmental. In india, it flows through the cities of rangpo, kalimpong, jalpaiguri and. Domestic conflicts in the teesta basin a possibility for. Challenges and opportunities in the hydrologic sciences. It sounds strange but it does not affect the treaty at all. Teesta river is one of the 54 rivers shared by india and bangladesh. India and bangladesh today inked six mous, including one for the construction of a 129. The teesta river basin is widely known for the indobangladesh watersharing dispute and the political tussle between the government of west bengal and indias central government on giving. Teestas waters made me realise that the dispute was not bilateral, but a summation of. Why indus waters treaty is a bad bargaining chip for india indus water treaty of september 19, 1960, between india and pakistan, is one of the most liberal watersharing pacts in the world.