In a move indicating a possible shift in regional dynamics, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday formally extended its congratulations to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after its electoral victory in West Bengal.
Speaking to ANI, BNP Information Minister Aziz Bari Hilal praised the performance of the BJP under the leadership of Suvendu Adhikari.
“I congratulate the winner, the BJP led by Suvendu Adhikari. I believe the victory of the BJP led by Suvendu Adhikari will ensure that the relationship between West Bengal and the Bangladesh government remains as it was before, in a good way. The relationship will be built,” Aziz Albari Hilal said. “I congratulate the BJP’s victory.”
The endorsement highlighted a rare moment of diplomatic optimism over the long-running cross-border disputes between Dhaka and Kolkata. Hilal stressed that the shift of power could lead to stability and strengthening of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and West Bengal.
The most important takeaway from the BNP statement concerns the Teesta water-sharing treaty, a project that has been stalled for more than a decade. Hilal directly pointed to the outgoing Trinamool Congress (TMC) leadership as the main obstacle to progress.
The BNP claimed that the previous Mamata Banerjee administration was the “obstacle” to the Teesta Parag agreement. The party believes that with Suvendu Adhikari at the helm of West Bengal, the state government will now go along with the current Modi administration’s desire to finalize the treaty.
“In fact, we have seen earlier that Mamata Banerjee was actually the obstacle to the creation of Teesta Parag. Now, in my opinion, since the BJP won the elections under Suvendu’s leadership, the Teesta Parag agreement – which was highly desired by the Bangladesh government and the Modi government – will be helped by Suvendu. I think the Teesta Parag project will be implemented under the BJP government now that they have seized power instead of the Trinamool Congress,” he said. Aziz Al-Bari Hilal.
The Ganges Water Treaty (1996) regulates water sharing between India and Bangladesh during the dry season in the Farakka Barrage. During the lean months, Bangladesh accuses India of releasing insufficient amounts of water, affecting agriculture and livelihoods downstream. Growing concerns about climate change have intensified conflicts over declining water availability.
Bangladesh has been demanding a fair share of Teesta water, but the deal is still on hold due to opposition from West Bengal, citing its water needs. In 2011, an attempt was made to resolve the dispute when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Bangladesh. The proposed agreement aims to allocate 37.5% of Teesta water to Bangladesh and 42.5% to India. However, the West Bengal government opposed it, arguing that it would harm its agricultural interests.
An ad hoc agreement on sharing the Teesta waters was reached in 1983, with Bangladesh allocating 36% and India 39% of the water flow, leaving 25% to be determined later. However, this agreement has not been fully implemented.
In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka generated some expectations to move forward in resolving past issues on a fair and equitable water-sharing agreement.
India and Bangladesh share 54 common rivers, but only two treaties have been signed: the Ganges Waters Treaty and the Kushiara River Treaty. Other major rivers, such as the Teesta and Feni, are still under negotiation.
Despite the clear ideological divide between the center-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, Hilal noted that national interests often supersede party doctrine.
Aziz Albari Hilal said: “We have a good relationship. Ideologically, we are different, but on some issues, we are very much united – like the Teesta Barrage and the general relationship between Bangladesh and India. On the basis of issue, we are united, even if we are ideologically separate. I believe that with the new government in West Bengal, our relationship will accelerate more and more.”
