India and Bangladesh discuss Ganga, Teesta and Kushiyara in the Joint River Commission meeting.

GS paper 2

Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global grouping, India and its neighbourhood

Source: The Hindu, Indian Express

Context:

• • • India and Bangladesh discussed a wide range of issues related to the major common rivers such as the Ganga, Teesta and several smaller rivers during the 38th meeting of the Joint River Commission (JRC).

Common rivers between India and Bangladesh:

Key Highlights:

• • • Kushiyara river: JRC finalized the text of the MoU on Interim Water Sharing of Kushiyara river.
    • Water intake point on Feni river: Finalization of the design and location of water intake point on Feni river to meet drinking water needs of Sabroom town in Tripura.
    • The two sides also discussed:
      • • Exchange of flood-related data and information
        • River-bank protection works
        • Common basin management
        • The River Interlinking Project of India.
    • Ganges water sharing treaty: Both sides agreed to conduct the feasibility study for optimum utilization of water received by Bangladesh under the provision of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996.

Ganga Water Treaty 1996:

It is an agreement to share surface waters at the Farakka Barrage(on the river Ganga) near the mutual border between India and Bangladesh.

Insta Links:

Teesta river dispute

Land Boundary Agreement

Mains Link:

Q. Project ‘Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationships with its neighbours. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss. (UPSC 2015)

Prelims links:

Teesta river dispute

Land boundary agreement

Ganga and its tributaries

Rivers between India and Bangladesh

With reference to the Teesta river, consider the following statements:

1. 1. Teesta river is a tributary of the Ganga river.
   2. It originates in the Himalayas in Sikkim And flows to the south through Assam before entering Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c

Justification:

• • • Teesta river is a tributary of the Brahmaputra (known as Jamuna in Bangladesh), flowing through India and Bangladesh.
    • It originates in the Himalayas near Chunthang, Sikkim And flows to the south through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.