Water sharing

It may be recalled that as early as June 4, 1996, I suggested in my article under the caption "The Farakka: Problems and Solution" (See BO dated 4.6.96 and 6.6.96) that for securing our due share of water, we should file an appeal to the International Court of Justice or an International Tribunal as was done by Spain for resolving the Lake Lanoux dispute, which was eventually settled by the Lake Lanoux Arbitral Tribunal, while rejecting France's claim for absolute territorial sovereignty over its river.

It held, "Territorial sovereignty plays the part of a presumption. It must bend before all international obligations. Whatever their origin."

Bangladesh should lodge a strong protest with India asking it to immediately stop its River Linking Project, construction of Tipaimukh dam on the river Barak and other dams and barrages on 54 common rivers and conclude water treaties with us to share water of all the rivers on a just and equitable basis, as per existing international laws and practice in this regard.