Dhaka: Bangladesh will seek a higher share of Ganges water when the water-sharing treaty with India is renewed, as the existing 30-year agreement is set to expire in December, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad said on Thursday.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the state minister announced at a seminar that efforts are underway to secure a greater water share than was obtained under the 1977 agreement signed during President Ziaur Rahman’s tenure. The seminar, organized by Nongor Trust, a non-profit organization, was titled ‘People-centric River and Water Resource Management: Sustainable Future and Shared Responsibility’ and held at the Jatiya Press Club.

Azad highlighted the significance of the 1977 Farakka Treaty, noting that it was the most effective water-sharing agreement for Bangladesh to date. He emphasized that the volume of water secured in 1977 has not been matched in any subsequent agreements.

The state minister pointed out the lack of a guarantee clause in the current Ganges Water-Sharing Treaty between Bangladesh and India, which was not the case in the 1977 pact. He also mentioned ongoing government efforts in major river management projects, such as the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage.

Azad expressed optimism about the Teesta project, indicating that China has shown interest in assisting Bangladesh with this initiative. The seminar also featured speeches from other officials, including BNP lawmaker Anisur Rahman Khokon, and was presided over by Nongor Trust Chairman Shuman Shams.