Though inter-country initiatives work most sustainably with mutual consent, the project may still proceed without one state's approval, experts have said about whether a Teesta rejuvenation and management project can be implemented despite West Bengal's opposition.
During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Delhi earlier this month, two key announcements were made regarding the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty and the Teesta River project: a joint technical committee will begin discussions on renewing the Ganges treaty, and an Indian technical team will visit Bangladesh for the conservation and management of the Teesta River.
Following these announcements, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the central Indian government had not consulted her state, creating uncertainty about the project's implementation.
Experts suggest that while mutual consent is ideal for the sustainability of international projects, the initiative can still advance without the state's endorsement.
However, this could complicate the renewal of the Ganges treaty.
Malik Fida A Khan, a water expert and executive director at the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services, said consensus among all involved parties was highly desirable for inter-river cooperation. “Whenever water discussions occur between Bangladesh and India, representatives from the central government and the respective states are usually present.”
Regarding the Teesta, he mentioned two aspects: the Teesta River water-sharing agreement and the Teesta River conservation and management project.
While both countries have agreed on a water-sharing agreement, it has not been signed yet. He said Bangladesh had conducted a study on the conservation and management project, focusing on controlling floods during the monsoon season and preventing erosion.
A joint project between Bangladesh and India would yield more sustainable results since working on the entire river system was more effective than focusing on one part, the expert said.
Malik noted that while cooperation from all parties was ideal, the Teesta project could proceed even if West Bengal opposed it.
Regarding the Ganges water treaty, he said renewal discussions had not started yet, but it would be natural for West Bengal to have a representative in the Indian delegation when the talks took place.
Water politics
Global unrest over water resources is commonplace, with disputes between upstream and downstream countries becoming normal. Despite ongoing discussions on sharing water from the 54 common rivers between Bangladesh and India, only the Ganges Water Treaty has been signed so far.
A former diplomat highlighted that India's internal politics had made international water cooperation complicated.
Due to conflict between the central government and the West Bengal government, Mamata Banerjee might obstruct any bilateral and sub-regional initiatives by the BJP government, the individual said. “As a state, Bangladesh will always communicate with India… Bangladesh cannot influence India's internal politics.”
When asked about the impact of West Bengal's opposition to the Teesta project or the renewal of the Ganges treaty, he mentioned that the Teesta project was an internal matter for Bangladesh. “It would be better if everyone cooperated, but it can proceed with or without West Bengal's cooperation.”
Regarding the Ganges Water Treaty renewal, he explained that the Indian constitution granted the foreign ministry the power to make all kinds of international agreements. “Thus, despite internal disputes, the central government can sign treaties. However, this carries political risks, which is why neither the BJP nor the previous Congress government signed the Teesta agreement.”
With the BJP government recently entering its third term, whether it would take this risk depended on the internal political dynamics of India, the former diplomat added.