After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in West Bengal’s Assembly election, Bangladesh has renewed its demand for India to revisit the long-pending Teesta River water-sharing agreement.
Bangladesh believes the changed political situation in West Bengal could create a new opportunity to resolve the issue, which has remained unsettled for many years.
The Teesta River is an important water source for both India and Bangladesh, especially for agriculture and livelihoods in nearby regions. Sharing its waters has been a major diplomatic issue between the two countries.
For years, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was considered one of the main obstacles to finalizing the agreement. She had expressed concerns that sharing more water with Bangladesh could negatively affect farmers and residents in northern West Bengal.
Following the BJP’s election victory, Bangladesh has signaled that it expects India to reconsider the agreement under the new political circumstances.
In Dhaka’s first major response after the West Bengal election results, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman stated on May 5, 2026, that his country is once again demanding a fairer and larger share of Teesta waters.
He stressed that water sharing is a crucial issue for Bangladesh and said the government expects meaningful progress from India.
Rahman also warned that if India proceeds with new plans or policies regarding the Teesta without addressing Bangladesh’s concerns, his country would take “whatever measures are necessary” to protect its interests.
While the exact meaning of these measures was not clarified, the statement reflects Bangladesh’s growing frustration over the prolonged delay.
Political experts believe the issue could become an important diplomatic test for India’s central government, especially as it seeks to maintain strong regional ties with Bangladesh.
The renewed focus on the Teesta dispute highlights how state-level political changes in India can significantly influence international relations with neighboring countries.
As both nations continue discussions, the future of the Teesta agreement may now depend on whether the new political environment in West Bengal allows for greater flexibility and cooperation.