Seminar highlights urgency of resolving India-Bangladesh river dispute | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
June 10, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025
Seminar highlights urgency of resolving India-Bangladesh river dispute

Bangladesh

UNB
15 November, 2024, 09:45 pm
Last modified: 15 November, 2024, 09:46 pm

Related News

  • Rizvi questions govt preparedness over new Covid variant spread
  • Curfew and internet ban imposed in Manipur after arrests spark fresh unrest
  • Bangladesh reports 5 more Covid-19 cases
  • BNP to stay on streets until Dec election demand met: Gayeshwar
  • DMTCL urges Metro passengers to wear masks amid rising Covid-19 cases

Seminar highlights urgency of resolving India-Bangladesh river dispute

The event brought together experts, academics, and political figures to discuss the dispute’s complexities and explore potential solutions

UNB
15 November, 2024, 09:45 pm
Last modified: 15 November, 2024, 09:46 pm
Photo: UNB
Photo: UNB

A seminar titled "Common River Water and the India Question: What is the Politics of Resolution?" delved into the longstanding India-Bangladesh river water dispute, which has persisted unresolved for over three decades.

Held today (15 November) at Dhaka University's Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium, the event brought together experts, academics, and political figures to discuss the dispute's complexities and explore potential solutions.

BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury highlighted the intertwined political and security concerns shaping India-Bangladesh relations. He called for a policy of mutual respect and non-interference.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Chowdhury also emphasized the importance of aligning Bangladesh's strategy with international water law and revitalizing the currently ineffective River Basin Commission to protect the nation's river rights.

Former caretaker government adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman criticised what he described as a tendency to prioritize India's demands over Bangladesh's needs. He stressed the importance of balancing relationships with all neighbours while asserting Bangladesh's interests.

Negotiations must prioritise Bangladesh's current and future requirements, rather than deferring to India's dominant position, he argued, adding that achieving equity in water-sharing agreements is vital to securing long-term solutions.

Sheikh Rokon, general secretary of Riverine Peoples, highlighted the historical roots of the problem, pointing out that water-sharing arrangements were neglected during the partition of the subcontinent. No permanent solution for river distribution was established, leading to unresolved disputes over rivers such as the Ganges and Teesta, he explained.

Rokon urged comprehensive agreements on the Ganges, Meghna, and Brahmaputra rivers, arguing that negotiating individually for all 123 transboundary rivers could take centuries.

Mohammad Ejaz, chairman of the River and Delta Research Center, accused India of "weaponising" water flows to exert pressure on Bangladesh. He described how Bangladesh faces floods during the monsoon and drought-like conditions in the dry season, exacerbating its dependency on India.

Citing the success of international river treaties, Ejaz called for cooperative negotiations, referencing the Ganges treaty as an example of progress.

The seminar, chaired by Manjur Moin of Unity for Bangladesh, featured diverse speakers, including Abdullah Kafi Ratan from the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), writer and researcher Altaf Parvez, researcher Afifa Razzak Muna, and Dipti Dutta of Dhaka University's Department of South Asian Studies. Discussions spanned geographical, historical, and political perspectives, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the dispute.

India / Bangladesh / river

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-U.S. trade, in London, Monday, 9 June 2025. Photo: Xinhua via AP
    US and China in trade talks in London after Trump's phone call with Xi
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus leaves for a four-day visit to the United Kingdom from the Dhaka airport on 9 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    CA Yunus leaves for UK; discussion expected on renewable energy investment, laundered money
  • Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters
    Trump defends sending National Guard to LA as California governor to sue administration

MOST VIEWED

  • On left, Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice president (SVP) of BGMEA and additional managing director of Team Group; on right, Captain Md Saifuzzaman (Guddu), a Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Photos: Collected
    Ex-BGMEA SVP Abdullah Hil Rakib, Biman 787 pilot Saifuzzaman drown in boating accident in Canada
  • A photo showing the former president on his return to Dhaka today (9 June). 
Source: Collected
    Former president Abdul Hamid returns to Bangladesh from Thailand
  • File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar
    Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus leaves for a four-day visit to the United Kingdom from the Dhaka airport on 9 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    CA Yunus leaves for UK; discussion expected on renewable energy investment, laundered money
  • Inside the aid ship stormed by Israeli forces on 9 June 2025. Photo: BBC
    Israeli forces stormed aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg bound for Gaza: Freedom Flotilla Coalition
  • Enhanced surveillance at Ctg airport amid rising global Covid-19 cases
    Enhanced surveillance at Ctg airport amid rising global Covid-19 cases

Related News

  • Rizvi questions govt preparedness over new Covid variant spread
  • Curfew and internet ban imposed in Manipur after arrests spark fresh unrest
  • Bangladesh reports 5 more Covid-19 cases
  • BNP to stay on streets until Dec election demand met: Gayeshwar
  • DMTCL urges Metro passengers to wear masks amid rising Covid-19 cases

Features

File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

1d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

2d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

5d | Panorama
(From left) Sadia Haque, Sylvana Quader Sinha and Tasfia Tasbin. Sketch: TBS

Meet the women driving Bangladesh’s startup revolution

6d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Khadi in a New Form Amid Various Crises in Fashion

Khadi in a New Form Amid Various Crises in Fashion

52m | TBS Stories
US and China to meet in London for trade talks

US and China to meet in London for trade talks

14h | TBS World
The forbidden point on Cox's Bazar beach is like a death trap

The forbidden point on Cox's Bazar beach is like a death trap

16h | TBS Today
Israeli forces seize Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg

Israeli forces seize Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg

18h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net