Ganga Treaty at Crossroads: Falling Padma Levels, Political Tensions Threaten India-Bangladesh Pact

• The 1996 India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, expiring in December 2026, faces renewal challenges amid political shifts and climate stress.
• Falling Padma River levels in Bangladesh, with exposed sandbars and dried-up tributaries, highlight severe water stress in the Ganga basin.
• A new interim government in Dhaka and strained diplomatic ties complicate negotiations, making the treaty renewal a test of trust.
• West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's opposition, citing Kolkata Port and irrigation needs, poses a significant hurdle for India's central government.
• Bangladesh seeks a guaranteed 40,000 cusecs from February to May; India may propose a shorter treaty term (10-15 years) from the current 30.

Why It Matters: Renewal of the India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty faces major hurdles from politics, climate, and water scarcity.