Evidence-based negotiation needed for transboundary river water sharing: Experts

Evidence-based negotiation is essential for the water sharing of transboundary rivers between Bangladesh and India. 

For this, effective and well-documented data on the rivers is required. However, significant progress in this regard has yet to be achieved.

Experts from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Australia, Singapore, and China expressed these views on the last day of the two-day 10th International Water Conference titled "The Geopolitics of Water and the Future of the Oceans," organised by ActionAid at Kuakata in Patuakhali today.

Jayanta Basu, a professor of environmental science at the University of Calcutta, said, "There should be an equitable water-sharing policy between Bangladesh and India. Through evidence-based discussions, both countries can resolve their issues. The Teesta River can serve as a case study for cross-border and transboundary discourse. For this, evidence-based negotiation is necessary."

He said, "When it comes to water sharing, we are missing the relevance of accurate data. Specifically, in the case of the Teesta River, due to the varying flow levels in Sikkim and West Bengal, no party is receiving precise information. As a result, negotiations on water sharing based on incorrect data are not yielding effective outcomes."

He further added, "Comprehensive documentation of transboundary rivers is essential. The existing documentation lacks sufficient data. Therefore, a renewed effort can be undertaken in this regard."

Regarding the relationship between Bangladesh and India and the issue of fair water sharing, Jayanta Basu said, "In this case, it could be 'fifty-fifty' or 'sixty-forty' as needed. This can be determined through discussions between the two countries."

Syed Shahjahan Ahmed, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, said, "To preserve rivers and water, the government is working to involve more young people, emphasising further study and research. We are striving to increase engagement in these areas."

"The issue of climate change is already part of our SDGs. Water is also a key concern, and we will incorporate it as well. If necessary, we will work to include it in educational curricula," he said.

At the conference, a session titled "Navigating Oceanic Futures: Geopolitics of Cooperation for Sustainable Water Management" highlighted that water scarcity has influenced voter behaviour and political agendas, emphasising the need for adaptive governance, climate-resilient policies, and improved agricultural water practices.

Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said, "Over the two days of discussions, we have received many valuable insights and proposals on water and rivers. We will work on these and present them at the policymaking level. This year's conference focused on 'Hydro Diplomacy and the Future of Oceans.' We plan to bring the discussions on these topics to cross-border dialogues and work with the government of Bangladesh to address them."

On the last day of the conference today, the agenda included topics such as "Integrating Water Education into the Mainstream," "The Geopolitics of Cooperation," and "Protecting Ocean and Water Resources and the Future of the Oceans," alongside demands for ensuring fair water distribution.

During the discussions, various issues and action points regarding the country's rivers and tributaries were highlighted. 

Imtiaz Ahmed, executive director of the Centre for Alternatives, called for the inclusion of China and Nepal, alongside India, in relevant dialogues if necessary. 

He said, "To ensure the navigability and flow of the country's international rivers, discussions with the source countries may be considered as part of the solution."

In the two-day sessions, research presentations emphasised prioritising investments in sustainable, climate-resilient, and clean water sources, particularly in underserved areas. Proposed solutions included initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, groundwater conservation, and improvements in water purification systems.