Bangladesh tests its India ties by seeking China's aid for Teesta River
Bangladesh's government has decided to seek China's help in managing the Teesta River, instead of relying on long-standing Indian cooperation. The move signals a recalibration of South Asia's water, trade and diplomatic balance.
The government of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who took office in February, has asked China for technical and financial support to manage the Teesta River, which is a source of livelihood for millions in the country's northern regions. The request supplants a years-long call for cooperation that Dhaka had directed at India.
The rapid contraction of the Teesta's flow during the dry season is a long-running problem between Bangladesh and India. As New Delhi keeps a water-sharing agreement on hold for domestic political reasons, Dhaka sees Beijing's financial and technical capacity for water management, irrigation and flood control as an advantage.
If the talks with China lead to a concrete investment announcement, analysts say a fresh period of tension between India and Bangladesh could be triggered. The decision is also a key test of Beijing's strategy to expand its economic influence in South Asia. India's formal stance and possible diplomatic moves from Islamabad will be tracked closely.
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