Nepal and Bangladesh leaders plan India trips ahead of Ganges treaty renewal
Prime Minister Balen Shah of Nepal is eyeing a three-day visit to India in the third week of November, while Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is considering a trip in November or early December as both countries prepare to renegotiate the Ganges water-sharing pact.
Shah’s proposed itinerary includes inaugurations of several India-funded infrastructure and flood-reconstruction projects, according to sources. Rahman’s schedule is being aligned with the same timeframe to facilitate talks on the expiring 30-year Ganges water-sharing treaty, which lapses on December 12, 2026. No specific dates have been confirmed for either visit. The treaty governs water distribution at the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal during the lean season from January 1 to May 31 each year.
Why it matters
The visits could shape the renewal of a critical water-sharing treaty affecting millions in South Asia.
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