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Centre to Consider Bihar Concerns Before Ganga Treaty Renewal

Source:The Hindu ↗

Why It Matters

Crucial for understanding India's trans-boundary water diplomacy, Centre-State relations, and regional impacts on Bihar concerning the Ganga river basin and the Ganga Waters Treaty.

Summary

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the Central government will address and incorporate Bihar's concerns prior to renewing the Ganga Waters Treaty with Bangladesh, highlighting the significance of state-level inputs in trans-boundary water diplomacy.

Key Points

  • External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar assured that the Centre will fully consider Bihar's concerns and interests before the renewal of the Ganga Waters Treaty with Bangladesh.
  • The statement addresses long-standing anxieties in Bihar regarding siltation, flooding, and water availability related to the Farakka Barrage and upstream river management.
  • Demonstrates cooperative federalism in handling critical trans-boundary water treaties that directly impact riparian states like Bihar.

Important Terms

Ganga Waters Treaty

A 1996 bilateral agreement between India and Bangladesh for sharing the dry-season waters of the Ganga river via the Farakka Barrage, set to expire in December 2026.

UPSC context

Crucial for BPSC International Relations and Polity (Federalism), testing India's trans-boundary water diplomacy and states' rights.

Source
Ministry of External Affairs

The nodal cabinet ministry of the Government of India responsible for directing the country's foreign relations and international treaties.

UPSC context

Important for BPSC General Studies Paper II under governance, international relations, and institutional framework of foreign policy.

Static Concepts Connected

International Relations & Polity

What are the key provisions and timeline of the India-Bangladesh Ganga Waters Treaty of 1996?

  • Duration: Signed in December 1996 for a 30-year duration, the treaty is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026.
  • Sharing Formula: Based on a 10-year average water availability data from 1949 to 1988, ensuring specified sharing formulas during lean periods (January 1 to May 31).
  • Farakka Guarantee: Guarantees a minimum quantum of water at Farakka for India and Bangladesh during critical dry months.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Treaty-making Power vs. State Water Lists

    Trans-boundary water treaties require balancing Centre's exclusive treaty-making power under Article 253 with riparian states' Seventh Schedule interests in water and irrigation.

  • Interstate Sedimentation and Barrage Management

    Farakka Barrage's impact on Bihar's siltation mirrors sedimentation challenges faced in interstate river disputes like the Cauvery or Mahanadi tribunals.

Ganga Waters Treaty (1996) expiry in Dec 2026 + Bihar's riparian stakes makes it a prime candidate for a 67th/68th Mains GS-2 question.

Linked PYQs · 3

Linked PYQs · 3

  • 2019BPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Among the following tributaries, which one is the part of Ganga river basin?

  • 2025BPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    According to the Indus Waters Treaty, the three eastern rivers are allocated to India. Which of the following is not one of them?

  • 2025BPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    The second largest river basin of India is -