Analysis | Ganga Water Treaty Renewal First Test For BJP's Bengal Government

Updated: May 17, 2026 22:11 pm IST Published On May 17, 2026 22:09 pm IST Last Updated On May 17, 2026 22:11 pm IST

Published On May 17, 2026 22:09 pm IST

Last Updated On May 17, 2026 22:11 pm IST

The 30-year-old Ganga water sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh -- up for renewal in December 2026 -- will be the first challenge for West Bengal's newly elected BJP government. 

A sensitive issue on both sides of the border, it is expected to put to test bilateral ties between the new government in Dhaka led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in New Delhi.

With months to go for the treaty to end, India is already looking at a short-term agreement to replace the 30-year pact and Bangladesh is preparing to renegotiate the deal on terms that are more beneficial to Dhaka in the present circumstances - environmentally and politically.  

The contentious Teesta water sharing deal that was on the verge of being signed by the previous Manmohan Singh-led government, was opposed by Bengal's erstwhile government led by Mamata Banerjee. 

Bengal had contended that north Bengal does not have enough water and will go dry if........

© NDTV