The agreement signed by India and Bangladesh in 1996 for sharing the waters of the Ganga at Farakka is popularly known as the:

On 12 December 1996, India and Bangladesh signed the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty for sharing the waters of the Ganga at Farakka during the lean (dry) season, from 1 January to 31 May. It was signed by Prime Ministers H.D. Deve Gowda of India and Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh.

Background:

• India built a barrage on the Ganga at Farakka, completed in 1975, to divert water through a feeder canal into a branch of the river.
• The aim was to flush silt from that channel and keep the Kolkata port navigable.
• Bangladesh objected, as the diversion reduced the flow of the Ganga (called the Padma in Bangladesh) during the dry season.
• Short-term agreements were signed in 1977 and 1982, but they lapsed, and the 1996 treaty provided a long-term solution.

Main features of the 1996 treaty:

• It is valid for 30 years and is due to expire in December 2026, so talks on its renewal are under way.
• Water flow at Farakka is shared according to a formula based on the availability of water in each 10-day period of the dry season.
• When the flow is 70,000 cusecs or less, the water is shared equally.
• During certain critical periods, each side is guaranteed at least 35,000 cusecs in alternate 10-day periods.
• A Joint Committee monitors the flow at Farakka and at Hardinge Bridge in Bangladesh.

Other India-Bangladesh water issues:

• The two countries share 54 rivers.
• The Joint Rivers Commission, set up in 1972, handles cooperation on shared rivers.

Other water treaties of India:

• Indus Waters Treaty (1960) with Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank.
• Mahakali Treaty (1996) with Nepal, for the integrated development of the Mahakali river, including the Pancheshwar project.
• Gandak Agreement (1959) with Nepal.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Indus Waters Treaty is with Pakistan.
• ✗The Mahakali Treaty is with Nepal.
• ✗The Kosi Agreement (1954) is with Nepal.