By Prof Dr Momtazur Rahman,
Bangladesh’s decision to seek China’s support for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project represents a realistic and forward-looking step toward addressing one of the country’s most pressing environmental and development challenges. For decades, the Teesta issue has remained unresolved despite repeated negotiations, diplomatic discussions, and political promises. In the meantime, millions of people living in northern Bangladesh continue to suffer from water shortages, river erosion, declining agricultural productivity, and economic uncertainty. In such circumstances, Bangladesh’s effort to involve China in the project should be viewed as a practical development initiative rather than merely a geopolitical issue.
The Teesta River is critically important for Bangladesh. Originating in the Himalayas and flowing through India before entering Bangladesh, the river supports agriculture, irrigation, fisheries, transportation, and livelihoods in several northern districts. During the dry season, however, the water flow decreases dramatically, leaving vast agricultural lands dry and affecting the lives of farmers and rural communities. Thousands of families face economic hardship because of irregular water supply, erosion of riverbanks, and the shrinking navigability of the river. Climate change has made the situation even more severe by increasing unpredictability in rainfall and river flow patterns.
For Bangladesh, the Teesta problem is therefore not only about water sharing; it is also about food security, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, and regional development. Northern Bangladesh has long lagged behind other parts of the country in terms of industrialization and infrastructure. A modern and comprehensive Teesta management project could transform the region by improving irrigation systems, reducing flood risks, restoring ecosystems, and supporting agricultural and economic growth.
This is where China’s role becomes highly significant. China possesses extensive experience in large-scale river management, water conservation, flood control, embankment construction, and mega infrastructure projects. Over the years, China has successfully implemented complex river engineering projects within its own territory and in many developing countries. Its technological expertise, financial capacity, and implementation experience can provide Bangladesh with much-needed support to modernize the Teesta basin.
The project is not simply about building embankments or controlling water flow. It involves integrated river management, restoration of ecological balance, prevention of erosion, expansion of irrigation networks, and protection of local communities from environmental disasters. Chinese investment and technical cooperation could help Bangladesh achieve these goals more quickly and effectively than relying solely on limited domestic resources.
Some critics may interpret Chinese involvement through the lens of regional power politics, particularly because of the strategic competition between India and China in South Asia. However, Bangladesh’s primary concern should be its own national development and the welfare of its people. If a friendly country is prepared to assist Bangladesh in solving a long-standing problem, there is no reason to reject such cooperation simply because of geopolitical sensitivities.
Bangladesh has consistently pursued a balanced foreign policy based on friendship with all and malice toward none. Dhaka has maintained strong diplomatic and economic relations with both India and China. Seeking Chinese support for the Teesta project does not mean Bangladesh is moving away from India; rather, it demonstrates Bangladesh’s determination to secure development opportunities through diversified international partnerships. In today’s interconnected world, development cooperation should not be held hostage to political rivalries.
Indeed, the prolonged delay in resolving the Teesta issue has frustrated many Bangladeshis. Despite years of bilateral discussions with India, a permanent water-sharing agreement has not yet materialized. Political opposition from the government of West Bengal has repeatedly been cited as a major obstacle. As a result, people in northern Bangladesh continue to pay the price of diplomatic stagnation. Under such circumstances, Bangladesh has every right to explore alternative forms of cooperation that can directly benefit its citizens.
China has already become one of Bangladesh’s most important development partners. Chinese support has contributed to roads, bridges, ports, power plants, and other infrastructure projects that have accelerated Bangladesh’s economic growth. Cooperation on the Teesta project would therefore be a continuation of an existing development partnership rather than an entirely new geopolitical alignment.
The recent meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing reflects the growing depth of bilateral relations between the two countries. During the discussions, both sides emphasized cooperation in trade, investment, water resources, digital economy, and infrastructure development. Bangladesh also reaffirmed its commitment to the “One-China” principle, while China reiterated support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and development priorities. These discussions indicate a relationship based on mutual trust and shared interests.
China’s support for the Teesta project could also help Bangladesh strengthen climate resilience. River erosion, flooding, and water scarcity are becoming increasingly severe because of climate change. A scientifically planned river restoration project could help protect vulnerable communities, improve water conservation, and create a more sustainable environmental future for northern Bangladesh. Such initiatives are essential for a climate-vulnerable country like Bangladesh.
Most importantly, the Teesta project is about people. It is about farmers who struggle to irrigate their lands, families who lose homes to erosion, and communities that face economic insecurity because of environmental degradation. For them, the project is not a diplomatic slogan; it is a matter of survival and hope. If Chinese support can help restore the river, improve agricultural productivity, create employment opportunities, and reduce poverty, then such cooperation deserves broad national support.
Ultimately, Bangladesh’s engagement with China on the Teesta issue reflects a pragmatic approach to development. The country cannot afford endless delays while its people continue to suffer. Infrastructure, environmental protection, and economic progress require timely decisions and effective partnerships. China’s involvement offers Bangladesh an opportunity to move beyond prolonged uncertainty and take concrete steps toward solving one of its most important regional challenges.
The Teesta River is not merely a river; it is a lifeline for northern Bangladesh. If Chinese cooperation can help transform that lifeline into a source of sustainable development and prosperity, then supporting China’s involvement is not only reasonable but necessary for Bangladesh’s future.
The write is a Registrar and Professor of English at IUBAT-International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Dhaka. He can be reached at momtazur@iubat.edu.
