In a strongly worded letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has voiced her “strong reservations” regarding the alleged exclusion of the West Bengal government from discussions about the Teesta water sharing and Farakka Treaty with Bangladesh.
Banerjee urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the Bengal government is included in any future talks concerning these critical water-sharing issues.
“I am writing this letter in the context of the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. It appears that water-sharing issues related to the Ganges and Teesta rivers may have been discussed during the meeting. Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the state government are neither acceptable nor desirable,” Banerjee stated in her three-page letter to Modi.
The Chief Minister’s letter underscores the importance of including the state government in discussions that directly impact the region. Banerjee’s stance highlights the ongoing complexities and sensitivities surrounding transboundary water-sharing agreements in South Asia.
As these discussions continue to evolve, it remains crucial for both national and state-level authorities to collaborate closely, ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping agreements that affect millions of lives on both sides of the border.