Last Updated on June 25, 2026 8:17 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh and China have agreed to deepen cooperation in the management of the Teesta and other rivers, a development that is expected to be closely watched in India, given that the Teesta originates in Sikkim, flows through West Bengal, and remains central to the long-pending India–Bangladesh water-sharing negotiations. The move also adds a new strategic layer to regional water diplomacy, as New Delhi continues to seek a mutually acceptable framework for Teesta river allocation with Dhaka.
The understanding was reached when Chinese Water Resources Minister Li Guoying called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Diaoyutai state guest house in Beijing on Thursday, the Prime Minister’s Office said on social media.
During the meeting, Tarique highlighted Bangladesh’s river excavation programme, aimed at reducing flood risks, protecting the environment and improving river management. He sought China’s support in strengthening Bangladesh’s water resource management and requested Chinese technical assistance for the Teesta management project.
Li assured Dhaka of full cooperation in water resource management. Referring to the Bangladesh-China memorandum of understanding signed in 2005 and the visit of Chinese water experts to Bangladesh last year, he said bilateral cooperation in the sector was practical and research-based.
Tarique also sought Chinese help in preventing riverbank erosion, improving irrigation and enhancing inland water navigation. The Chinese minister said Bangladesh could benefit from China’s experience and invited Bangladeshi water experts and officials to receive training in China.
Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin, PM’s advisers Rashed Al Mahmud, Humaiun Kobir and Mahdi Amin, and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman attended the meeting.
Tarique arrived in Beijing on Wednesday from Dalian after attending the World Economic Forum’s Summer Davos. PM’s adviser and spokesperson Mahdi Amin said both sides reached a consensus on expanding cooperation in the Teesta Master Plan, river management and flood-risk mitigation, while China expressed interest in supporting research, training and institutional capacity building.