Teesta water sharing

Why in News?

Following the BJP’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly election, Bangladesh has renewed its appeal to India to finalize the long-pending Teesta water-sharing agreement under the “current circumstances.”

The Teesta issue remains one of the most sensitive bilateral water disputes between India and Bangladesh, which share 54 transboundary rivers. 

About the Teesta River

• The Teesta River is the main right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
• It originates from Tso Lhamo Lake in the North Sikkim Himalayas at an elevation of about 5,030 metres.
• The river flows through Sikkim, West Bengal and Bangladesh.
• In Bangladesh, it joins the Jamuna River, the local name for the Brahmaputra.
• Due to its steep gradient and high elevation, the river possesses significant hydroelectric power potential.

Background of the Dispute

• The Teesta water-sharing dispute has persisted for more than four decades.
• India and Bangladesh mainly disagree over the sharing of dry-season river flow.

1983 Temporary Arrangement

A temporary agreement was reached in 1983; Bangladesh received 36% of the dry-season flow, India retained 39%. The remaining share remained unallocated. However, this arrangement never evolved into a permanent treaty. 

Failed 2011 Agreement

• In 2011, during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s proposed visit to Dhaka, India planned to sign an interim Teesta agreement.
• Under the proposed formula:
  • India would retain 42.5% of the dry-season flow.
  • Bangladesh would receive 37.5%.
• However, then West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opposed the deal, arguing that the river did not have sufficient water to share.

Sources: TH, TP