Bangladesh to push for fair share of transboundary waters with India: State Minister

Bangladesh will prioritise its national interests and seek a fair share of transboundary waters in negotiations with India, Foreign Affairs State Minister Humayun Kabir said Thursday (October 8), stressing that Dhaka’s position has a basis in international law as well as strong public support at home.

“We will try to ensure Bangladesh’s fair share while keeping the national interest at the forefront,” Kabir said in response to questions at a seminar organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in Dhaka.

The seminar, titled “Rethinking the Future of Water: Youth Leadership, Justice and Cooperation,” focused on water management and cooperation between Bangladesh and India.

Kabir said sustained communication and direct engagement between officials from the two countries would be essential to make water cooperation more effective. Bangladesh has already formed a committee for this purpose and has asked India to nominate representatives to join the process, he said.

Dhaka is now waiting for New Delhi to provide the names of its representatives. Once those nominations are received, Bangladeshi officials will be able to begin discussions with their Indian counterparts, Kabir said, expressing hope that India would respond positively soon.

Referring to existing water-sharing arrangements between the two countries, the state minister said political goodwill on both sides could help resolve outstanding issues through dialogue.

He stressed that Bangladesh would pursue the issue through diplomacy and negotiations rather than confrontation, with mutual understanding and a cooperative relationship serving as the basis for future engagement.

Kabir also underscored international law as a key foundation of Bangladesh’s position on the equitable sharing of transboundary waters. Dhaka, he said, would continue efforts to secure its rightful share while advancing water cooperation with India through sustained dialogue.