New Delhi has released the dates and details of how the West Bengal government was consulted before the discussion on the renewal of the Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh beyond 2026.
The spokesperson of India's external affairs ministry, Randhir Jaiswal, at the daily briefing on Friday said that the Government of West Bengal nominated their representative to an internal committee on August 25, 2023.
“Concerned stakeholders include the Government of Bihar as well as West Bengal, whose representatives have been included as members in this Committee,” the spokesperson said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee soon after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi on June 20-21 sent a letter to Prime Minister Nadrendra Modi conveying strong reservation of any water talks with the neighbour without her.
The two prime ministers agreed to collaborate on the conservation of the Teesta River and the renewal of the Farakka water-sharing treaty, set to expire in 2026.
"Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the state government are neither acceptable nor desirable," Mamata wrote.
The external affairs ministry’s spokesperson said the internal committee has held four meetings so far: on August 22 and October 30 in 2023, and on March 15 and and May 31 this year. It submitted its final report on June 14, which is under examination by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
“The Government of West Bengal has been represented by either the Joint Secretary, Irrigation & Waterways Department or by the Chief Engineer (Design & Research), Irrigation and Waterways Department in three of the four meetings, i.e. the Govt. of West Bengal representative participated in all three meetings held after nomination was received,” the spokesperson said.
“On April 5, 2024, a communication was also received from West Bengal indicating its drinking water and industrial water requirements for inclusion in the Treaty beyond 2026. This requirement was reiterated by the representative from West Bengal, who participated in the last meeting of the Committee held on 31 May, 2024.
“The required preparatory works for renewal of the Treaty was therefore conducted by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in consultation with the stakeholders, including with the State Government of West Bengal. In the next step, Jal Shakti has formed a Joint Technical Committee to initiate discussions between India and Bangladesh on renewal of Ganga Water Treaty,” said the spokesperson.