The Ganges Water Treaty, officially the "Treaty on the Sharing of Ganga Waters," is a bilateral agreement between India and Bangladesh, signed on December 12, 1996, in New Delhi. This international treaty was created to resolve a decades-long water-sharing dispute over the transboundary Ganga River, known as the Padma in Bangladesh. The dispute intensified after India commissioned the Farakka Barrage in 1975 to divert water into the Hooghly River to maintain navigability of the Kolkata Port, which significantly reduced the dry-season flow to Bangladesh.
The treaty is valid for 30 years until December 2026 and is subject to review every five years. Its core mechanism governs the sharing of water at the Farakka Barrage during the lean season from January 1 to May 31 every year, based on a 10-day period flow calculation. The sharing formula is tiered: if the flow at Farakka is less than 70,000 cusecs, the water is shared 50:50; if the flow is between 70,000 and 75,000 cusecs, Bangladesh receives a fixed 35,000 cusecs and India gets the remainder; and if the flow is 75,000 cusecs or more, India receives 40,000 cusecs and Bangladesh gets the balance. A Joint Committee with equal representatives from both countries monitors the daily flows at Farakka and at the Hardinge Bridge in Bangladesh.
The treaty connects to the broader framework of transboundary river management, including the Joint River Commission (JRC), which was established in 1972 and is tasked with monitoring the treaty's implementation and resolving disputes. It also incorporates the principles of equitable utilization and an obligation not to cause harm, and Article IX ensures commitment for future cooperation on the other 53 common rivers shared by the two nations. The treaty is currently under discussion for renewal, as its term expires in 2026, with both countries considering the impact of climate change and future water needs.