Italian Media: Teesta River Basin: Dhaka (Bangladesh) Seeks Beijing Support, India Grows Nervous

The management of water resources in the Himalayan region has once again become a focal point of discussion among Bangladesh, China, and India. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the Bangladeshi government is seeking support from Beijing, reigniting tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi over water resources and China’s growing influence in the region. Dhaka loses up to 1.5 million tons of rice annually due to poor irrigation—this issue is a matter of life and death.

Milan (Asia News) – After the new government was elected in February last year, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s intentions have gradually become clear. He has formally requested China to provide support and assistance on the Teesta River project. This move could further complicate relations between Bangladesh and New Delhi, as India has long sought to contain China’s influence in the region.

Last week, foreign ministers from China and Bangladesh held talks in Beijing, discussing new cooperation prospects and infrastructure projects—including the comprehensive management and restoration project for the Teesta River basin aimed at revitalizing and managing the river system.

The Teesta River originates in Sikkim, part of the eastern Himalayas, flows through West Bengal in India, and eventually enters Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, the Teesta is a vital source of irrigation and supports the livelihoods of millions.

The Teesta River is crucial for Bangladesh’s agriculture. According to the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Bangladesh’s agriculture is currently facing severe challenges. Studies indicate that due to water shortages, the country loses approximately 1.5 million tons of rice annually, with future losses expected to rise further.

In West Bengal, India, the Teesta River is equally critical for irrigation and energy production. Several hydropower projects within the basin rely directly on the river’s flow.

Disputes over the Teesta River date back to 1947, when the region was divided between India and Pakistan upon India’s independence from Britain. The issue resurfaced after Bangladesh’s liberation in 1971. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, the two countries have still not reached a final agreement on water distribution.

In 2011, both sides were close to an agreement allocating 39% of the Teesta’s water to India and 36% to Bangladesh. However, Mamata Banerjee, then Chief Minister of West Bengal, vetoed the deal due to concerns it might negatively impact agriculture in her state.

Water allocation between India and Bangladesh remains a key issue in bilateral relations. In 1996, the two countries signed the Indo-Bangladesh Ganges Water Treaty, which has governed the distribution of Ganges water during dry seasons for the past 30 years. The treaty is approaching its expiration date, and no official statement has yet been released regarding renewal.

This April, Rahman visited India—a visit closely monitored by the Chinese government. For years, China has kept a close watch on developments related to the Teesta River project, especially because the river lies near the narrow Siliguri Corridor, which connects mainland India to its northeastern states.

During the initial months of Rahman’s tenure, China and Pakistan closely observed the new Bangladeshi government, trying to determine whether Rahman would continue the political trajectory set by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina,

the Yunus administration gradually moved closer to China and Pakistan, straining relations with India. Rahman has followed Yunus’s approach by placing the Teesta River project back at the top of the political agenda and restarting negotiations with neighboring countries. Already in 2024, New Delhi had offered technical assistance to protect the river, signaling its desire to strengthen cooperation with Dhaka on transboundary river management.

Bangladesh’s increasingly close ties with China have raised concerns in India, particularly as Beijing continues to expand and consolidate its economic and diplomatic influence across the region. According to sources in Bangladesh, China is effectively the fourth-largest creditor to Bangladesh, behind Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. Since 1975, China has provided a total of $500 million in loans to Bangladesh.

At the conclusion of the bilateral talks, China’s foreign minister stated that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh in areas such as economy, infrastructure, and cultural exchange, and encouraged Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh.

In his statement, China’s foreign minister also subtly referred to India, noting that relations between China and Bangladesh—and other South Asian nations—should not be influenced by “a third party.” In response, Bangladesh’s foreign minister reaffirmed Dhaka’s support for and adherence to the “One China” principle, opposing any form of Taiwan’s independence.

Author: Maria Casadei

Original: toutiao.com/article/1865216534844426/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.