Bangladesh turns to China on Teesta: Should India be concerned?

Dhaka and Beijing on Thursday agreed to strengthen cooperation on the management of the Teesta and other rivers and signed 13 agreements to bolster bilateral ties following talks between Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Dhaka and Beijing signed 13 agreements to bolster bilateral ties following talks between Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The agreements include cooperation on the management of the Teesta and other rivers, with a focus on strengthening hydrological data sharing and flood control measures. Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged to provide $1 billion in loans to Bangladesh for infrastructure development, including river management projects. This move is seen as a significant shift in Bangladesh's foreign policy, with China emerging as a major player in the region.

The cooperation between Bangladesh and China on the Teesta river management may lead to increased competition for India's water resources, potentially affecting the price of irrigation water for Indian farmers. As a result, Indian farmers may face higher costs, which could be passed on to consumers in the form of higher food prices. The impact of this agreement on India's agricultural sector could be significant, with potential losses estimated to be in the millions of dollars. This could have a direct impact on the livelihoods of Indian farmers and the overall economy.

The Teesta river dispute has been a longstanding issue between India and Bangladesh, with both countries competing for access to the river's water resources. In 2015, India and Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding on the sharing of the Teesta river waters, but the agreement has yet to be implemented. China's entry into the picture has added a new layer of complexity to the dispute, with Beijing seeking to expand its influence in the region through infrastructure development and economic cooperation. Insiders know that China's move is part of its broader strategy to expand its presence in South Asia.

The next step will be the implementation of the agreements signed between Bangladesh and China, with a focus on joint river management projects and infrastructure development. A key date to watch is the upcoming meeting of the Bangladesh-China Joint Economic Commission, scheduled to take place in June. Surprisingly, China's investment in Bangladesh's river management projects may actually benefit India in the long run, as improved flood control measures could reduce the risk of flooding in Indian territories downstream.