Bangladesh Forms Committee to Seek Fair Share of Water from India

Bangladesh has formed a committee to pursue its fair share of water from India, Foreign Affairs State Minister Humayun Kabir has said. He added that India has been asked to nominate a representative to join the committee.

The state minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a seminar titled “Rethinking the Future of Water—Youth Leadership, Justice and Cooperation” at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in Dhaka on Thursday morning (October 8).

Humayun Kabir said Bangladesh has the backing of international law as well as full public support in its efforts to secure a fair share of water. The government will continue discussions with India on the issue, he said.

He also said Bangladesh is working toward establishing an international water organisation under the United Nations. The country is seeking to ensure representation from Bangladesh in the leadership of the proposed organisation.

The state minister stressed the importance of giving young people meaningful opportunities to address the challenges of future water diplomacy. He said young professionals should be developed as skilled “water diplomats” with expertise in science, international law and multidisciplinary fields.

Regarding negotiations with India, Humayun Kabir said the government would continue discussions over Bangladesh’s fair share of water and would not compromise on the issue.