JD(U)’s Sanjay Jha Flags Bihar’s Water Concerns, Opposes Renewal of Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh

Sanjay Jha Opposes Renewal of Ganga Water Treaty

Janata Dal (United) national working president Sanjay Jha has stepped up his opposition to the renewal of the 1996 India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty, arguing that the agreement has not adequately protected Bihar’s water interests.

Jha, who previously served as Bihar’s Water Resources Minister, has said the treaty should not be renewed in its present form when its 30-year term expires in December 2026.

He has argued that Bihar’s requirements for drinking water, irrigation, agriculture and industrial development must be taken into account in any future arrangement.

Treaty Set to Expire in December 2026

The Ganga Water Sharing Treaty between India and Bangladesh was signed on December 12, 1996, for a period of 30 years.

The agreement regulates the sharing of Ganga waters at Farakka during the dry season, particularly between January and May. Its current term is scheduled to expire on December 12, 2026.

With the expiry approaching, discussions over a possible renewal have gained political importance, particularly in Bihar.

Jha Says Bihar’s Interests Were Neglected

Jha has argued that Bihar has faced serious problems related to floods, silt accumulation and water availability during the three decades since the treaty was signed.

According to him, the impact of the treaty should be assessed using data from the past 30 years before any decision is taken on its continuation.

He has also argued that Bihar's future water requirements must be considered, particularly as the state seeks greater industrialisation and faces growing demand for agriculture and drinking water.

Demand for Water Planning Up to 2050

Jha has called for any new arrangement to consider Bihar's water requirements at least until 2050.

He has specifically highlighted the state's expected needs for irrigation, industries, agriculture and drinking water, arguing that future population growth must also be incorporated into water planning.

The JD(U) leader has maintained that the existing arrangement should not simply be extended without a comprehensive assessment of its impact on Bihar.

Farakka Treaty and Bihar’s Water Concerns

One of Jha's central arguments relates to the availability of water during the lean season.

He has pointed to the treaty's provision concerning the flow that has to be maintained at Farakka and contrasted it with the lower flow entering Bihar at Buxar during dry periods.

Jha has argued that this creates difficulties for Bihar's own water requirements. These figures and their interpretation are part of his argument against renewing the treaty in its current form.

JD(U) Launches ‘Nitish Samvad’ Campaign

The JD(U) has also launched a public outreach initiative called ‘Nitish Samvad on Farakka Water Treaty’ to highlight Bihar's concerns over the agreement.

The campaign was launched in Buxar, with the party seeking to bring the issue to the public and political discourse ahead of the treaty's expiry.

The initiative reflects the importance the JD(U) is placing on water security and the Farakka issue in Bihar's political narrative.

Centre Says Bihar’s Concerns Will Be Considered

While Jha has opposed renewal in the existing form, the Centre has indicated that Bihar's concerns will be considered.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assured Jha that any decision regarding renewal of the Ganga Water Distribution Treaty would take Bihar's interests into account.

The government has also held inter-ministerial discussions and consultations involving representatives of the Bihar government as part of its assessment of the treaty's future.

Bihar Wants Its Water Requirements Included

The Bihar government's concerns have increasingly become part of the broader discussion around the treaty.

Jha has argued that any future framework should take into account the needs of all relevant Ganga basin states rather than focusing only on the existing bilateral arrangement between India and Bangladesh.

He has also highlighted the state's vulnerability to floods while simultaneously facing water shortages during other periods of the year.

Call for National Silt Policy

Apart from opposing renewal of the treaty in its existing form, Jha has called for the implementation of the National Silt Policy.

He has argued that removing accumulated silt is important for improving the depth and flow of the Ganga.

The issue of silt accumulation is particularly significant for Bihar, where flooding and changes in river channels have long been major concerns.

Political Debate Intensifies Ahead of Expiry

The approaching expiry of the treaty has turned the Ganga water-sharing issue into a significant political topic in Bihar.

The JD(U)'s campaign places the issue within the state's broader political narrative around water security, flood management and development.

The Opposition has also criticised Jha's position, making the Farakka treaty an emerging point of political debate in the state.

India-Bangladesh Relations Add Another Dimension

The treaty is a bilateral agreement between India and Bangladesh, meaning its renewal also has implications for India's relations with its neighbouring country.

Any renegotiation will therefore have to balance Bangladesh's water-sharing concerns with India's internal requirements, including the interests raised by Bihar.

Jha has maintained that raising Bihar's concerns should not be viewed simply as a political issue but as part of ensuring the state's long-term water security.

What Happens Next?

With the treaty's December 2026 expiry approaching, discussions over its future are expected to continue between India and Bangladesh.

The Centre has indicated that Bihar's concerns will be considered, while the JD(U) is pushing for a fresh approach that takes the state's projected requirements through 2050 into account.

Whether the existing treaty is renewed, renegotiated or replaced with a new framework will depend on the upcoming diplomatic and inter-governmental discussions.

Conclusion

JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha has strongly opposed renewing the India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty in its present form, arguing that Bihar has suffered from inadequate consideration of its water requirements over the past three decades.

With the 1996 agreement set to expire in December 2026, Bihar is seeking greater consideration of its needs for drinking water, agriculture, irrigation and industrial development. The Centre has assured Jha that Bihar's interests will be taken into account as India considers the treaty's future.