Bangladesh Turns To China Again For Teesta River Project. Should India Be Worried?
Bangladesh Turns To China Again For Teesta River Project. Should India Be Worried? Written By, Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 14:48 IST Experts say Bangladesh
Bangladesh Turns To China Again For Teesta River Project. Should India Be Worried? Written By, Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 14:48 IST Experts say Bangladesh is primarily seeking financial & technical assistance to modernise the Teesta basin after years of waiting for progress on water-sharing agreement with India Rapid Read The proposed project is located relatively close to the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow stretch of land connecting mainland India to its north-eastern states, and that’s why New Delhi closely monitors any significant Chinese infrastructure activity in the region. (AI-Generated Image) Bangladesh has once again turned to China to move forward with the long-delayed Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, reviving strategic concerns in New Delhi over Beijing’s growing footprint in India’s immediate neighbourhood. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Beijing and met with Li Guoying, Chinese minister of water resources, during which both parties decided to enhance their cooperation in the area of river management and expedite the process of work related to the Teesta project. What Have Bangladesh And China Agreed To? According to official statements released by both sides, Rahman and Guoying deliberated on how the implementation of the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project could be achieved during their meetings in Beijing. ALSO READ | Why BJP’s Bengal Victory Could Reshape India-Bangladesh Ties Both sides resolved to enhance collaboration in the areas of water resources management, flood control, river conservation and ecological restoration. The Chinese officials reiterated that Beijing was ready to help Bangladesh implement the project.
Both countries described the discussions as part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral cooperation in water resource development. What Is The Teesta Project? The Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project is one of Bangladesh’s biggest planned river infrastructure projects. The plan involves dredging of Teesta river, reinforcement of its embankments, improvement of irrigation network, reclamation of lands, flood reduction and restoration of the river ecosystem in northern parts of Bangladesh. For quite some time now, China has shown interest in funding and implementing the project under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). If implemented, Chinese firms are likely to play a big role in the process. Why Is The Teesta So Important? The Teesta originates in the Himalayas in Sikkim, flows through West Bengal and then enters Bangladesh before joining the Brahmaputra river. For Bangladesh, the river is a lifeline for agriculture in its northern districts. During the dry season, however, water availability declines sharply, making water-sharing with India a politically sensitive issue. India and Bangladesh negotiated a Teesta water-sharing agreement over a decade ago. However, the deal has remained unsigned because of objections from the West Bengal government, which had argued that releasing additional water could adversely affect farmers in north Bengal. According to an analysis by The Diplomat, the prolonged delay in concluding the water-sharing pact has encouraged Bangladesh to seek alternative partnerships for river development. Why Is India Concerned About China’s Role? India’s concerns extend beyond the river itself. Unlike the water-sharing agreement, the Chinese-backed project does not seek to alter India’s share of the Teesta’s waters.
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