The NDA government at the Centre has assured its ally Janata Dal United (JDU) that it will take "an appropriate decision" on the Farakka treaty, considering Bihar’s drinking water and industrial water needs. This assurance was conveyed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a letter to JDU national working president and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Kumar Jha last week.

Context

Jaishankar's letter referenced a Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha on August 6, 2026, where Jha pressed for the protection of Bihar’s water interests in the renewal of the Ganga water sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh. The 30-year agreement, signed on December 12, 1996, to manage the dry-season flow of the river at the Farakka barrage, is set to complete its term this year and is due for renewal.

Developments

"We fully understand your concerns relating to the Ganga Water Treaty," Dr. Jaishankar wrote in the letter dated August 28. He informed Jha that inter-ministerial discussions were held under the leadership of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, with participation from various stakeholders, to comprehensively examine the implementation and future of the treaty.