Bangladesh Turns To China Again For Teesta River Project. Should India Be Worried?

Last Updated:June 26, 2026, 14:48 IST

Experts say Bangladesh is primarily seeking financial & technical assistance to modernise the Teesta basin after years of waiting for progress on water-sharing agreement with India

Bangladesh has once again turned to China to move forward with the long-delayed Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, reviving strategic concerns in New Delhi over Beijing’s growing footprint in India’s immediate neighbourhood.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Beijing and met with Li Guoying, Chinese minister of water resources, during which both parties decided to enhance their cooperation in the area of river management and expedite the process of work related to the Teesta project.

What Have Bangladesh And China Agreed To?

According to official statements released by both sides, Rahman and Guoying deliberated on how the implementation of the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project could be achieved during their meetings in Beijing.

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Both sides resolved to enhance collaboration in the areas of water resources management, flood control, river conservation and ecological restoration. The Chinese officials reiterated that Beijing was ready to help Bangladesh implement the project.

Both countries described the discussions as part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral cooperation in water resource development.

What Is The Teesta Project?

The Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project is one of Bangladesh’s biggest planned river infrastructure projects.

The plan involves dredging of Teesta river, reinforcement of its embankments, improvement of irrigation network, reclamation of lands, flood reduction and restoration of the river ecosystem in northern parts of Bangladesh.

For quite some time now, China has shown interest in funding and implementing the project under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). If implemented, Chinese firms are likely to play a big role in the process.

Why Is The Teesta So Important?

The Teesta originates in the Himalayas in Sikkim, flows through West Bengal and then enters Bangladesh before joining the Brahmaputra river.

For Bangladesh, the river is a lifeline for agriculture in its northern districts. During the dry season, however, water availability declines sharply, making water-sharing with India a politically sensitive issue.

India and Bangladesh negotiated a Teesta water-sharing agreement over a decade ago. However, the deal has remained unsigned because of objections from the West Bengal government, which had argued that releasing additional water could adversely affect farmers in north Bengal.

According to an analysis by The Diplomat, the prolonged delay in concluding the water-sharing pact has encouraged Bangladesh to seek alternative partnerships for river development.

Why Is India Concerned About China’s Role?

India’s concerns extend beyond the river itself.

Unlike the water-sharing agreement, the Chinese-backed project does not seek to alter India’s share of the Teesta’s waters. Instead, it focuses on infrastructure development inside Bangladesh.

However, strategic experts have long argued that a major Chinese-funded infrastructure project on the Teesta would give Beijing a sustained engineering and technical presence in northern Bangladesh.

According to analysis by The Week, the proposed project is located relatively close to the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow stretch of land connecting mainland India to its north-eastern states. Because of the corridor’s strategic importance, New Delhi closely monitors any significant Chinese infrastructure activity in the region.

China has already financed several major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, including bridges, highways, power plants and ports. The Teesta project would further deepen Beijing’s engagement in Bangladesh’s critical infrastructure.

Is This A Strategic Setback For India?

Experts say Bangladesh is primarily seeking financial and technical assistance to modernise the Teesta basin after years of waiting for progress on the water-sharing agreement with India.

Dhaka has consistently maintained that the project is intended to improve flood control, irrigation and river management rather than alter regional security dynamics.

Nevertheless, Indian strategic analysts believe that every major Chinese infrastructure project in South Asia adds to Beijing’s long-term regional influence, making the Teesta project significant beyond its immediate economic objectives.

Can India Still Salvage The Situation?

The Diplomat notes that if New Delhi and Dhaka can finally conclude the long-pending water-sharing pact, Bangladesh’s dependence on Chinese-backed river projects could diminish.

Any such agreement would still require consensus within India, particularly from West Bengal, whose objections have stalled previous attempts. In what could prove to be a fillip, Bengal now has a BJP government, which could mean greater coordination with the Centre.

So, Should India Be Worried?

Recent negotiations between Bangladesh and China will not change India’s rights over the Teesta river immediately nor can they be construed as a security concern by themselves.

This development does point to a greater geopolitical truth. Unless India resolves its water-sharing dispute with Bangladesh over the Teesta river, Bangladesh will keep looking to China for help in finance, technology and infrastructure.

India thus faces a situation where its concerns are not limited merely to sharing river waters but extend to using diplomacy as a means of preventing China from getting a foothold in India’s backyard.

About the Author

Apoorva Misra

Apoorva Misra is a News Editor at News18.com with a keen interest in politics and current affairs. She loves uncovering fresh angles and telling stories through long-form features and explainers. Foll...Read More

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