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Abstract
This article provides a detailed analysis of the landmark 1996 treaty between Bangladesh and India on the sharing of the Ganges waters. It examines the genesis of the treaty, tracing the long and often-acrimonious history of the water dispute following the commissioning of the Farakka Barrage by India. The study details the key provisions of the 30-year treaty, particularly its formula for sharing the dry-season flow of the river. The research assesses the significance of the treaty as a major breakthrough in bilateral relations, representing a shift from a zero-sum conflict to a cooperative, problem-solving approach. The paper argues that the treaty was not only a technical agreement on water sharing but also a powerful political symbol of a new era of goodwill and trust between the two neighboring countries. The analysis concludes by evaluating the treaty's role as a potential model for resolving other transboundary water disputes in the South Asian region.
Full Text
The signing of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty in December 1996 was a historic achievement in the often-troubled relationship between Bangladesh and India. This paper analyzes the genesis and significance of this pivotal agreement. The first part of the study delves into the long and difficult history that preceded the treaty. It recounts the decades of failed negotiations, short-term arrangements, and the severe unilateral diversions of water at Farakka by India, which had devastating environmental and economic consequences for Bangladesh. This historical context is used to underscore the magnitude of the 1996 breakthrough. The core of the article is a detailed examination of the treaty itself. It analyzes the specific water-sharing formula, which was based on a 10-day periodic schedule, and the guarantee clause that was designed to protect Bangladesh's interests during periods of exceptionally low flow. The paper also highlights the treaty's 30-year duration, which provided a much-needed element of long-term predictability. The second part of the paper is an assessment of the treaty's broader significance. It is presented not just as a technical water agreement, but as a political masterstroke that fundamentally reset the tone of bilateral relations. The paper argues that the treaty created a new atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation, which in turn facilitated progress on a range of other bilateral issues. The findings suggest that the Ganges Treaty was a powerful demonstration that even the most intractable disputes in South Asia could be resolved through sustained political will and good-faith negotiation.