Global Net Report : Following the Virtual Summit of the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India, the members of the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) of the two countries are discussing the sharing of water in six identical rivers. The JRC meeting is scheduled to be held on January 5 and 6 after a three-year hiatus.
The meeting will be held virtually. It may discuss the process of implementation of the Ganga Water Sharing Agreement and the water sharing of six other common rivers. Officials from the Ministry of Water Resources in Dhaka and diplomatic sources in Delhi confirmed the JRC meeting on Sunday.
In a virtual meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for the signing of the Teesta Treaty on an urgent basis as per the 2011 decision of the two sides. The Prime Minister of India reiterated India’s sincere commitment to the implementation of the Teesta Treaty and the continued efforts of his government. The two top leaders, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Dharla, Dudhkumar and Gomti, also stressed the need to expedite the framework of the interim agreement on the sharing of water in six common rivers. In this case, the two leaders agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint River Commission soon.
A senior official of the Ministry of Water Resources, who did not want to be named, said six identical rivers of the two countries were discussed at a meeting of water resources secretaries in Dhaka last year. Later, updated data of these six rivers was also exchanged for the purpose of signing an interim agreement. The water sharing of rivers may be discussed at the JRC meeting to be held next month.
Bangladesh and India have been discussing six identical rivers since 1997 and exchanging data on water flow in the rivers. The two countries exchanged updated information after a meeting at the secretary level in August last year. Talking to officials of the Ministry of Water Resources, it is learned that the two countries have also set up separate technical committees on these six rivers. These committees will make recommendations on the process of the interim agreement and the rate at which the rest can be shared, leaving a certain proportion of water for the flow of the river. There are technical complications in the issues. As a result, the concerned officials think that it may take time.
Officials of the Joint Rivers Commission say the JRC meeting of the two countries will be held in two parts on January 5 and 6. A section will discuss the process of implementation of the Ganges water sharing agreement. The other part, that is, the technical committee will discuss various issues of the common river of the two countries. The topic of six rivers will come up in that discussion.
It is learned that the government has undertaken the work of 15 identical river conservation projects flowing over 10 districts of Bangladesh. Bangladesh will seek India’s help in making the work smooth during the technical committee discussions at the JRC meeting.
