Ganga Water Treaty 1996

In one line: The Treaty on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka was signed in New Delhi on 12 December 1996 for 30 years.

The parties and the term

It was signed by Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda of India and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh. Article XII says it enters into force on signature, stays in force for 30 years and is "renewable on the basis of mutual consent". It therefore ends on 12 December 2026.

Key articles

• Article II: sharing by ten-day periods from 1 January to 31 May, using the formula in Annexure I.
• Article IV: a Joint Committee with equal members observes flows at Farakka and Hardinge Bridge.
• Article VII: disputes the Joint Committee cannot settle go to the Joint Rivers Commission, then to the two governments.
• Article X: review at five-year intervals or earlier.
• Article XI: without an agreed change, India releases at least 90% of Bangladesh's share.

Where to go next

• Lean-season sharing formula
• Joint Rivers Commission