Bangladesh-China Joint Statement On Teesta Cooperation Poses A Big Challenge To India

By Nitya Chakraborty

The joint statement of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued in Beijing on June 26 following the visit of Tarique to China has drawn the attention of the global diplomatic circles due to the sweep of the nature of collaboration between the two countries mentioned in the statement.

For India, the most important part is the detailed outline of the cooperation for the development of Teesta river project and the defence cooperation. New Delhi officially has not reacted to the statement but some non-official sources have expressed their anxiety at the massive Chinese participation in Teesta river project in some areas which have relevance for India. Teesta flows in India and then goes to Bangladesh. India have long relationship with Bangladesh on the handling of Teesta waters. So India has a stake in any development concerning this project.

Perhaps, China is aware of such apprehensions in India. So the Chinese spokesperson said in Beijing on Friday in the press briefing that Teesta Cooperation agreement was not targeted against any third country, meaning India. But the more important reaction was in Dhaka on Monday from the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman when he said that the implementation of Teesta Barrage Master Plan is a national priority and it would be implemented at any cost. It is apparent that the comment was meant for India.

It is quite likely that the Indian officials have been assessing the in depth implications of the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP). Since this involves lot of areas including dredging, river training, flood control, building of embankments and advanced technologies of water management, Indian experts have been analyzing whether Indian side of Teesta river has any consequences due to the implementation of this project on their side. India is expected to take up with Bangladesh some issues if those are of common interest.

Let us be frank about the Indian dilemma. India have lost the opportunity of being a partner of Teesta project due to the myopic view which the Narendra Modi government too in 2024 and 2025 during the interim Yunus regime in Bangladesh. PM could have met Dr. Muhammad Yunus to take forward this partnership as it had already got the consent of the earlier PM Sheikh Hasina and lot of discussions were held. This was the most important bilateral project. So India should have shown more interest to talk on this issue of common interest despite sharp political differences.

Even after the installation of Tarique government in February 2026, Indian government could have shown special interest as Tarique government was going ahead with some priority programmes. If India had shown more friendly attitude to Tarique government in the initial period Tarique Rahman might have chosen India for his first visit as PM. In diplomacy, time matters and optics also. China offered red carpet to the Bangladesh Prime Minister. Bangladesh badly needed funds as also industrial programmes to create new job opportunities. China offered that. The relationship was catapulted to a new strategic level.

It is true that after the China visit, the foreign office in Dhaka is upbeat saying that China has agreed to be by the side of Bangladesh, come what may. But at the same time, the foreign policy planners are saying that Bangladesh have not put all eggs in Chinese basket. For the Tarique government-Bangladesh is first priority. Who is helpful to Bangladesh prosperity will be welcomed, it can be India or the United States.

India have to approach Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with open mind. Tarique has every right to sign agreement with any country based on the country’s interests just like India. Indian side should renew the invitation to the Bangladesh PM to visit India soon and follow up this so that PM accepts. Just requesting the PM to visit India after taking oath, is not enough. It has to be pursued. Chinese ambassador in Dhaka did that. China was constantly in touch with Bangladesh PM and then he agreed.

Bangladesh sources say that China is among Bangladesh’s most important partners in the sphere of economic development. It has invested heavily in infrastructure construction in Bangladesh and plays an important role as a source of investment and manufacturing capacity. As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status, China will be an important partner in industrial relocation, renewable energy, digitalisation, and logistics. Bangladesh government need to generate new jobs for the youth. China’s proposal for setting up industrial clusters in districts, is suitable for Bangladesh in generating jobs at a faster pace.

But at the same time, the official position is that Bangladesh is ready to equally welcome India and its offer for assistance in the industrialization of Bangladesh. India-Bangladesh partnership should be helpful to Bangladesh for creating strategic opportunities. India should treat Bangladesh on equal footing. Bangladesh is assertive about its strategic autonomy. This is true in case of China also.

Bangladesh experts also feel that India will remain Bangladesh’s indispensable neighbour whose cooperation is strongly needed for connectivity, water, energy and regional security requirements. India can also help Bangladesh in digital development. That’s the call to India and New Delhi has to respond in an appropriate manner. (IPA Service)