“During Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to China in June, the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation on the long-discussed Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. China said it would support the project within its capacity and help expedite its feasibility study, raising fresh hopes for progress on one of Bangladesh’s most politically sensitive infrastructure initiatives…”
“But can it guarantee that enough water will cross the border into Bangladesh during the dry season?”
“That depends largely on upstream water availability, releases, and cooperation from India.”
“The Teesta is central to agriculture and livelihoods across Bangladesh’s northern districts, but it behaves like two different rivers. During the dry season, its channels shrink and irrigation becomes difficult. During the monsoon, sudden surges cause floods, erosion and displacement…”
“The Teesta begins in the Indian state of Sikkim, flows through West Bengal and enters Bangladesh’s Nilphamari district before joining the Brahmaputra river. Bangladesh therefore receives what remains after upstream use, diversion, and regulation. The Gajoldoba Barrage in West Bengal plays a central role in controlling the river’s flow before it reaches the border.”
“[Since 2011], the water-sharing dispute has remained unresolved, even during periods of close political relations between Dhaka and New Delhi. That failure partly explains why Bangladesh began looking to China for a different kind of solution.”
https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/why-a-bangladesh-india-deal-over-the-teestas-waters-is-imperative/