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on its own two teams to Bangladesh - a technical delegation from 27th April to
2nd May and a 'good-will delegation', headed by G. Partha Sarathy, Chairman of
the Policy Planning Committee of the Indian Ministry of External (Foreign) Affairs
to Bangladesh from 18th to 22nd June 1976 for discussing the Ganga water-sharing
at Farakka; the Bangladesh delegation was led by Rear Admiral M. H. Khan. The
outcome of this meeting was practically nil, as both sides did not budge from their
stands. India insisted on solving the problem within the framework of the Joint
Declaration by bilateral discussions; while Bangladesh insisted on Nepal's involve-
ment. India suggested studying the effects on both countries of withdrawal of water
at Farakka by a joint committee; to this also Bangladesh did not agree.
Mean while Bangladesh applied for inclusion of the Farakka issue in the agenda
of the UN General Assembly session. This was not well taken by the Indian Prime
Minister, Indira Gandhi, which was reflected when the Bangladesh team, led by
M. H. Khan visited New Delhi from 7th to 10th September 1976. In the meeting
with Mrs. Gandhi on 9th September 1976, there was heated exchange of words
between the two sides on various issues, including sharing of the Ganga water and
Dhaka's complaint in the UN. The meeting abruptly ended with the withdrawal of
Bangladesh team.
Thus, Indo-Bangladesh relationship came to the 'breaking point' on Farakka
issue in this period, owing also to the instability in the political regime in
Bangladesh. After trial operation of the feeder canal between 21st April and
31st May 1975, India wanted to reach an agreement on withdrawal of water at
Farakka in the next lean season, but this fell through because of lack of response
from Bangladesh. Disputes also arose on the definition of the lean season. While
India proposed sharing of water from mid-March to mid-May for running the feeder
canal, Bangladesh stuck to its preferred period, between November and May. India
could not remain a silent spectator and let the canal remain dry, but continued
to draw water at Farakka during the monsoon season of 1975 and also thereafter
in 1976 and 1977 to the minimum extent of 40,000 cusecs and released the bal-
ance volume to Bangladesh. In the lean seasons of 1976 and 1977, India took less
than its minimum requirement as a goodwill gesture, and gave additional water to
Bangladesh. India knew the impact of such reduction in the lean season on the
river and on the navigability of Calcutta port, as the river needed at least 40,000
cusecs, round the year. Bangladesh knew the extent of this reduced withdrawal
by India and the increased flow, available at Farakka. In fact, Bangladesh repre-
sentatives, stationed at Farakka beyond 31st May up to 7th August, 1975, saw the
reduced withdrawal by India for the trial run of the feeder canal but never objected to
such withdrawal. Therefore, withdrawal by India beyond 31st May, 1975 cannot be
termed 'unilateral', as it took place in the presence of Bangladesh representatives.
This unfriendly attitude of Bangladesh leaders was anticipated, because
K. Mushtaq Ahmed who succeeded the assassinated President, Sheikh Majibur
Rahaman in August 1975, was noted for his 'anti-India' bias. Many politicians
including B. M. Abbas, the noted engineer-cum-politician of Bangladesh, had dis-
played such attitude to India earlier and even afterward. Mrs. Khurshida Begum in
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