Bangladesh’s efforts to meet its growing water needs through understanding with China and India highlight the strategy of balancing the region’s complex geopolitical situation.
Professor Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, paid an important four-day visit to China from March 26-29. It is noteworthy that this year marks the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations.
The chief advisor initially chose China for a bilateral visit. He did not receive a positive response to his offer to visit New Delhi. China has provided Bangladesh with a loan of US$7.5 billion since 1975, making it the fourth largest lender to Bangladesh.
Analysts believe the visit has highlighted the strong position of Dhaka’s relationship with Beijing and ushered in a new chapter of bilateral cooperation.
During the four-day visit, Bangladesh and China signed important agreements to strengthen economic and technological cooperation.
The most notable was an agreement on economic and technological cooperation and eight memorandums of understanding on investment, infrastructure, technology and cultural exchanges. Both countries pledged to strengthen the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and advance the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic partnership.
The Chinese government and private institutions have pledged $2.1 billion in investment, loans, and grants to Bangladesh for infrastructure projects, highlighting China’s important role in Bangladesh’s modernization and development.
Beijing-Dhaka cooperation on water resources
Bangladesh’s water resources sector was one of the main topics of discussion during Yunus’ visit to China. The sector is plagued by various problems. The country’s annual surface water flow is about 1,210 cubic kilometers and groundwater recharge is between 28 and 65 cubic kilometers. 86 percent of the water is used for agriculture, 12 percent for domestic use and only 2 percent for industry.
Bangladesh is highly dependent on its upstream neighbors, with more than 90 percent of the country’s rivers flowing from India, Myanmar, and China. The situation has been further complicated by climate change. Rising sea levels and erratic weather patterns are putting further strain on the country’s water system. The country’s low-lying terrain, extensive floodplains, and long coastline make Bangladesh particularly vulnerable.
Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in TibetPhoto: AFP
The situation is serious. A study titled ‘Drying Rivers of Bangladesh’ by the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC) has shown that at least 79 of the 1,156 officially listed rivers in the country have dried up or are on the verge of drying up. One of these is the Teesta.
The study says Bangladesh cannot solve this problem alone. It needs cooperation with its neighbors to the north. The forecast is even more alarming. It is estimated that one in seven Bangladeshis could be displaced by climate change by 2050.
Professor Yunus sought cooperation from China in river management and requested the development of a 50-year long-term master plan for river management in Bangladesh.
Source: Prothom Alo
