The Ministry of External Affairs addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2405, asked by Smt. Mala Roy on 13/02/2026, regarding the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty. The India-Bangladesh Ganga/Ganges Water Treaty, signed on December 12, 1996, is set to expire in December 2026, and discussions for its renewal have not yet begun between the two countries. Inputs on drinking and industrial water requirements from all stakeholders, including the Government of West Bengal, have been received and considered. An authorized representative from the Government of West Bengal participated in inter-ministerial discussions on 30 October 2023, 15 March 2024, 31 May 2024, and 26 March 2025, where a collective view was formulated. The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs is Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh.
Key Entities Referenced
India-Bangladesh Ganga/Ganges Water Treaty: A bilateral treaty between India and Bangladesh concerning the sharing of water from the Ganga/Ganges River, signed in 1996 and expiring in December 2026.
Bangladesh: Country involved in bilateral talks regarding the renewal of the Ganga water sharing treaty.
West Bengal: Indian state whose government has held talks with the Central Government regarding the renewal of the India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty.
Ministry of External Affairs: Indian ministry responsible for handling the renewal of the Ganga water sharing treaty with Bangladesh.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2405
ANSWER ON 13/02/2026
GANGA WATER SHARING TREATY
2405. SMT. MALA ROY
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether any bilateral talk has been initiated with Bangladesh
Government to renew the Ganga water sharing treaty which will expire on
December 2026, if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether the Central Government has held talks with Government of
West Bengal regarding the renewal of said treaty, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) The India-Bangladesh Ganga/Ganges Water Treaty was signed on
December 12, 1996 and is expiring in December 2026. Discussions for its
renewal are yet to commence between the two countries.
1(b) Inputs on drinking water and industrial water requirements have also
been received from all stakeholders, including from the Government of
West Bengal, which have been taken into account while formulating the
Government’s views. An authorised representative from the Government of
West Bengal took part in inter-ministerial discussions held on the matter on
30 October 2023, 15 March 2024, 31 May 2024 and also on 26 March 2025,
where a collective view was formulated.
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