Bangladesh and China Deepen Cooperation on Teesta River Management

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang met in Beijing on Thursday, signing 13 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and agreeing to strengthen cooperation on the management of the Teesta and other rivers.

Key Agreements in Beijing

The understanding regarding the Teesta was reached during a meeting between Rahman and Chinese Water Resources Minister Li Guoying. The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in areas including the Teesta Master Plan, river management, flood-risk mitigation, river dredging, erosion control, irrigation and inland navigation.

During the meeting, Rahman highlighted Bangladesh's river excavation program and sought China's technical assistance.

On Wednesday, Rahman told an investors meeting in China's Dalian city that Bangladesh has finalized an action plan for excavating 20,000 km of rivers and canals over five years and improving water management in the Padma and Teesta rivers.

Background: The Teesta River's Strategic Importance

The Teesta River flows from the eastern Himalayas through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh, where it is a key source of irrigation and livelihoods.

China has shown interest in developing the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, located near India's Siliguri Corridor.

India in 2024 offered technical and conservation assistance for the Teesta basin. The understanding on Teesta cooperation may have implications for Bangladesh-India ties, given India's sensitivity over the Teesta water-sharing issue.

Water sharing is a key issue in New Delhi-Dhaka ties; the India-Bangladesh Ganges Water Treaty, signed in 1996, is due to expire in 2025 unless renewed.

Official Statements

Rahman's office spokesman Mahdi Amin said the Chinese side expressed interest in strengthening political, economic and people-to-people engagement and reaffirmed support for Bangladesh's sovereignty, security and development.

Premier Li Qiang, as quoted by Xinhua, said China is willing to work with Bangladesh to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, import more high-quality products, support capable Chinese enterprises in investing, and expand cooperation in emerging industries.

Rahman was quoted by Xinhua as saying that developing relations with China is a priority of Dhaka's foreign policy, and that his government adheres to the one-China principle and opposes any form of "Taiwan independence."

Upcoming Meetings and Further Engagements

• Rahman is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.
• A separate party-to-party meeting and MOUs were also held between the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Communist Party of China.