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Bangladesh has decided to take a big step in the name of solving its internal water problems and promoting the agriculture sector, which has created a stir in the strategic corridors of New Delhi. Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tariq Rahman made it clear in Dhaka that his government is going to start work on the much awaited Padma and Teesta Barrage projects in the country very soon. This shocking announcement has come at a time when Prime Minister Rahman is soon going to leave for a very important official visit to China. In such a situation, there is a strong possibility of Chinese Dragon playing a big economic and technical role in this entire project.

Bangladesh PM made a big announcement from the public meeting in Ghazipur

Addressing a huge public meeting after laying the foundation stone of the new building of ‘National Disaster Management Research and Training Institute’ in Ghazipur, near Dhaka, PM Tariq Rehman gave a strong message to India. He said in a very aggressive tone, “I want to make it absolutely clear that our BNP government will start the construction work of both Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage without any delay. BNP has always led many movements in the national interest on the issue of Teesta River. Therefore, if any political party has actually prepared the ground in this direction, it is only BNP.” Let us tell you that the government has already approved the construction of Padma Barrage in the northern and southern regions of Bangladesh (especially on the Padma River in Rajshahi), and now the Prime Minister has also officially flagged off the Teesta Barrage.

Eyes set on upcoming China tour, mega deal worth billions of dollars is going to happen

According to experts, this announcement regarding Teesta Barrage is a part of completely thought-out strategic timing. Prime Minister Tariq Rehman is visiting China at the end of June 2026. According to information received from diplomatic sources, during his visit to Beijing, there will be detailed talks with China’s top leadership regarding funding of Teesta Barrage and many other sensitive and big infrastructure projects. It is estimated that China will invest billions of dollars in this entire project.

Water crisis and poison spewed on India’s Farakka Barrage

Referring to the deepening water crisis within the country, PM Rehman indirectly held India responsible for it. He said that Bangladesh does not get enough water in its rivers during the dry season. He strongly criticized the dams being built across the borders and the diversion of water. Rehman directly claimed that due to India’s Farakka Barrage, salty sea water is rapidly entering their southern region, which is having a direct and fatal impact on many major eco-sensitive areas including the Sundarbans. Expressing concern over the environment, he said, “Many rare trees and plants are being destroyed due to increase in salinity and the animals of Sundarban are on the verge of extinction. We will have to build this barrage at any cost so that by storing the excess water of monsoon, we can make it available to our farmers and the general public on time during the dry season.”

Water sharing and historic treaty with India is expiring

There have long been serious disagreements and disputes between Bangladesh and India over the sharing of common river waters. In the year 1996, a historic 30-year treaty was signed between the two countries on the sharing of water of river Ganga, the official term of which is completely ending this year i.e. in December 2026. According to Dhaka officials, talks are currently going on behind the scenes between the two parties to renew this very important agreement. On the other hand, regarding the sharing of water of Teesta River, officials say that both the countries had completely agreed on the draft of this agreement, but due to strong opposition from the state of West Bengal within India, it has not been signed yet. It was told that former Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee had strongly opposed this agreement citing the interests of the farmers of her state, after which it is in cold storage.

What will be the impact of Rahman’s announcement and China’s entry on India?

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman’s announcement of construction of Teesta Barrage Project and this new insistence on seeking funding for it directly from China has posed a big challenge to New Delhi’s national security and strategic diplomacy. According to latest reports, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman visited Beijing this month (May 2026) and met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and formally sought Chinese help for this mega project worth about $1 billion. For India, this is not just a river or water management project, but a very sensitive and serious matter involving national security and diplomatic influence in its own neighbourhood. Its potential impact on India’s security can be easily understood through these two main and very serious points:

Direct and big threat to the security of ‘Chicken Neck’ (Siliguri Corridor)

According to Indian defense experts, India’s biggest and primary concern is about the country’s sovereignty. This entire Bangladeshi sector of the Teesta River is located very close to India’s most strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor (also known as ‘Chicken Neck’). It is a narrow land route just 60 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide, which connects the entire North-Eastern states with the rest of mainland India. Under the pretext of this project, the permanent presence of Chinese government companies (such as Power Construction Corporation of China) and hundreds of Chinese engineers and technical experts in this sensitive area in the name of river management, desilting, construction and engineering is a big ‘red flag’ for the Indian Army and national security, which India can never accept.

Big blow for New Delhi on diplomatic front

This step is like a strong and bitter message for India in the water diplomacy of South Asia. The Teesta water sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh has been stuck since 2011. During the tenure of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, India had offered technical and financial help for the Teesta project so that the Chinese dragon could be kept away from this sensitive border. But now, after the coup and political changes in Bangladesh, with the new government of Tariq Rahman (BNP) coming to power, Dhaka’s inclination towards Beijing has become completely clear. This move sends a message at the international level that if India is not able to complete agreements with its neighbors on time due to its internal politics, then its neighboring countries will not hesitate to ignore India’s interests and turn to other options (especially China).