📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Raj1585
Politics
Bihar Protest Forces India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty Renewal into Crisis
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 25 Oct 2026, 01:38 AM
👁 15
A mass protest in Bihar has jeopardised the renewal of the 1996 India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty, pushing the deadline to December 2026 into a potential stalemate.
The 1996 India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty, which governs the sharing of the Ganga River’s waters, is set to be renewed in December 2026. Recent protests in Bihar have disrupted the diplomatic process, creating uncertainty over whether the treaty can be re‑signed on schedule.
The demonstrations, which began in several districts of Bihar, have drawn attention to local grievances about water distribution and agricultural support. While the exact demands of the protesters are not yet fully articulated, their presence has forced both governments to reassess the renewal timeline.
Officials from both sides have expressed concern that the unrest could delay negotiations and potentially strain bilateral relations. The treaty’s renewal is critical for ensuring a stable water supply for millions of people in both countries.
As the deadline approaches, diplomats are working to address the concerns raised by the protestors and to keep the renewal process on track, but the situation remains fluid.
The demonstrations, which began in several districts of Bihar, have drawn attention to local grievances about water distribution and agricultural support. While the exact demands of the protesters are not yet fully articulated, their presence has forced both governments to reassess the renewal timeline.
Officials from both sides have expressed concern that the unrest could delay negotiations and potentially strain bilateral relations. The treaty’s renewal is critical for ensuring a stable water supply for millions of people in both countries.
As the deadline approaches, diplomats are working to address the concerns raised by the protestors and to keep the renewal process on track, but the situation remains fluid.