Bangladesh and India on Friday wrapped up a two-day meeting of the Joint River Commission and a technical committee in Kolkata on the Ganges water-sharing treaty implementation which is set for renewal next year.

Replying to a question on the outcome of the meeting, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the technical committee discussions held in Kolkata today was "part of the structured engagement" between the two countries on the Ganges water-sharing accord signed in 1996.

The meeting also discussed the measurement of the flow of water in the Ganges, he said.

"Such meetings are routine and held thrice a year," Jaiswal added.

The seven-member Bangladesh delegation at the meeting was headed by Md Abul Hossen, a member of JRC.
Sources of both sides said the two countries discussed setting up a joint technical committee within the next three months to renew the Ganga water treaty which is set for renewal in 2026.
They said the two sides agreed on a collaborative approach to address key issues including information exchange on flood forecasting and water sharing.

Under the existing Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, India can withdraw up to 40,000 cusecs of water if the availability at Farakka exceeds 75,000 cusecs. If the availability falls below 70,000 cusecs, the flow is to be divided equally between both countries. The treaty also guarantees Bangladesh a minimum of 35,000 cusecs if the flow ranges between 70,000 and 75,000 cusecs.
Prior to the Kolkata meeting, the Bangladesh delegation paid a two-day visit to the joint inspection sites at the Farakka barrage and the availability of water at other sites along the Ganges at Farakka on March 3 and 4.