Mamata’s Water Policy: Bangladesh-India Friendship

Recently, after discussions between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a total of 10 MoUs including 7 new and 3 renewals of old ones were signed between the two countries.

However, it is only said about the Teesta river water distribution agreement that a technical team from India will visit Bangladesh for research on Teesta. In the meantime, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to make any agreement with Bangladesh on Farakka and Teesta. Chief Minister Mamata said in the letter, “I have strong objection to any agreement with Bangladesh on Teesta and Farakka water distribution without the participation of the West Bengal government.” I will not compromise on the interests of the people of West Bengal.

Now the question has arisen, can this agreement be stopped due to Mamata’s objection? What are the provisions of the federal government and the Constitution of India? Today’s article is to find answers to these questions.

Incidentally, an agreement was reached between India and Bangladesh in 1996 on the distribution of Ganga water. That contract is due to expire in 2026. In this atmosphere, a meeting was recently held between Prime Minister Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi. There a ‘Joint Technical Committee’ has been formed to renew the ‘Farakka-Ganga Water Distribution Agreement’. In effect, this move begins the process of renewing the water sharing agreement between the two countries. But West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said it was ‘unacceptable and unacceptable’ for the state to “bypass” the renewal of the Farakka accord or continue talks with Bangladesh over Teesta water. Basically she raised questions about the renewal of the ‘Farakka-Ganga Water Sharing Agreement’ and bilateral initiatives on Teesta water sharing. But it needs to be specifically mentioned here that according to the Constitution of India, international agreements are completely within the purview of the federal government. In this case, it is necessary to consider whether there is a legal basis for taking West Bengal’s objection too seriously. Perhaps because of the interrelationships of the federal government there is an opportunity to discuss the matter. Even this letter of Mamata is being considered as a special issue so that there is no disruption in the federal government system. But it is good to say here that if West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee objects, the Indian government cannot sign the agreement - not so. According to the constitution, the central government has complete jurisdiction over international treaties. However, Mamata said that the way the Teesta Action Plan agreement has been made is not right. Such agreements cannot be made by avoiding the state. Her statement does not show maturity.

On June 24, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that she did not want to comment on Mamata’s objections regarding Teesta and Farakka water distribution. Because it is an internal matter of India. She also said that she has good relations with the leaders of all political parties in India. The list includes Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Mamata. We applaud Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina`s statement.

Commenting on the close geographical, cultural and political ties with Bangladesh, Mamata said in her letter to Modi, ‘I love and respect the people of Bangladesh and always wish them well.’ The chief minister wrote that there are some `exemplary’ joint works with Bangladesh on railway lines and bus services for the implementation of the enclave exchange agreement between India and Bangladesh and economic development of the region. But water is very precious and lifeline for people. We cannot afford to make any concessions on sensitive issues that have a multi-dimensional and dire impact on the people. If there is such an agreement, the people of West Bengal will suffer its dire consequences.

Analyzing the situation, it can be seen that the dispute between Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal state government and the central government of India over the distribution of the waters of the common rivers Teesta and Ganga has come to an extreme. The central government is blaming Mamata for this incident. Mamat’s allegation that the Center is trying to ‘sell water’ by keeping the state government in the dark has been falsely claimed by the Center saying that the West Bengal state government had already been informed about the distribution of Teesta and Ganga water. The Center had written a letter to the West Bengal government on July 24 last year. It sought a representative from the state on the committee constituted for internal review of the renewal of the Ganga water sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh signed in 1996. On August 25 of that year, the Chief Engineer of the State Irrigation and Waterways Ministry was nominated for the committee by the State Government. India’s central government claims that the West Bengal government is lying that it was not consulted in the internal review of the 1996 India-Bangladesh agreement on the sharing of Ganga water at Farakka. The Center alleged that Mamata's recent letter did not mention the Centre’s earlier letter.

Basically, Mamata Banerjee has been objecting to the sharing of Ganga or Teesta water with Bangladesh for a long time. But equal water distribution of river Teesta and Ganges is a long-standing demand of the people of Bangladesh. There is a need to rethink this issue to strengthen Bangladesh-India relations. The West Bengal Chief Minister’s objection in no way indicates friendly relations between India and Bangladesh. Mamata Banerjee’s stance on the relationship between the two countries is considered an anomaly for international river law and India's federal system of government. Regarding this letter of Mamata, a big wound has been created in the minds of the people of Bangladesh. The relationship between West Bengal and Bangladesh is completely different. The two regions have a special similarity in terms of language and culture. Moreover, Bangladesh has always considered Mamata as a special friend. Because of this, the people of Bangladesh cannot accept Mamata’s objection in any way.

Written by Dr.  Sultan Mahmud 

Author's: Dr. Sultan Mahmud, Professor, Department of Political Science, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh

Email: smahmud@ru.ac.bd

Whatsapp: 8801717736464

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