“Indian officials said it is important to fast-track negotiations to renew the Ganga water treaty of 1996, noting that subcommittees constituted for this purpose did not make much progress during the fifteen-month-long tenure of Dhaka’s interim government headed by Chief Adviser Mohammed Yunus.”

“The newly elected government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who was sworn into office on February 17, has, however, indicated that it is willing to take the dialogue forward and conclude negotiations ahead of December 2026, the deadline for treaty renewal.”

“Bangladesh Water resources Minister Shahid Uddin Choudhury Anee said on April 1 that the technical committee on the subject has started its work in Dhaka.”

“It is understood that both New Delhi and Dhaka are walking a tightrope in view of the upcoming Assembly election in West Bengal, where the sharing of the waters of the Ganga could become a political issue.”

“Mr. Rahman’s visit also indicates New Delhi’s willingness to engage with an elected government in Dhaka.”

“The war in West Asia and the resultant energy insecurity that has emerged as a major challenge for the Tarique Rahman government is one of the issues that is expected to feature prominently in talks as well.”

“On March 10, India sent 5,000 metric tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh through the Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline.”