The recent cancellation of the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission’s (JRC) technical-level talks has become the buzzing news. This decision has brought the drafting of the interim sharing agreement of the Feni river’s waters with Tripura to a standstill. The consequences of this termination predictably extend to delaying the draft frameworks for various other river sharing agreements.
The India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission
The India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission, or more commonly known as the JRC, has been operational since its establishment in 1972. The commission was primarily formed to ascertain effective joint efforts for maximizing the benefits derived from the common river systems shared by India and Bangladesh. The commission encompasses a whopping 54 rivers which are shared resources between the two countries.
The JRC is managed and directed by the Water Resources Ministers of India and Bangladesh. One of the many significant responsibilities of the commission includes the operation of a robust system for transmission of flood forecasting data. Comprehensive data on major rivers such as Ganga, Teesta, Brahmaputra, and Barak is gathered and sent from India to Bangladesh during the monsoon season
The Feni River Sharing Agreement
The Feni river, which forms a segment of the India-Bangladesh border, originates in the South Tripura district and courses its way into the Bay of Bengal after traversing through Bangladesh.
Under the proposed framework, Bangladesh had agreed to a distribution plan where it would share 1.82 cusecs of water with Tripura. However, the recent cancellation of the JRC technical talks has impaired the drafting process for this water-sharing agreement.
Effects on Other River Sharing Agreements
The spillover effect of the cancelled talks is anticipated to impact several other forthcoming agreements related to interim sharing of river waters. The rivers affected include Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gomati, Dharla, and Dudhkumar. The draft frameworks for these agreements are now expected to be delayed.
Key Facts
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) | Established in 1972, shared management by the Water Resources Ministers of India and Bangladesh |
| Number of shared rivers | 54 rivers |
| Major rivers with flood forecasting data system | Ganga, Teesta, Brahmaputra, and Barak |
| Feni River | Originates in South Tripura district, flows into Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh |
| Proposed Feni River sharing | Bangladesh agreed to share 1.82 cusecs of water with Tripura |
The Way Forward
The cancellation of the JRC talks has brought significant implications for the future of the river water sharing agreements between India and Bangladesh. Not only the Feni River agreement, but other river-sharing plans are also facing potential delays. How India and Bangladesh will navigate through this situation and develop a mutually beneficial solution remains to be seen.