NEW DELHI: India on Friday said it would take ‘all necessary actions’ to safeguard its interests after reports that Bangladesh is reviewing 101 agreements and memorandums of understanding signed with New Delhi during the previous Awami League government.Responding to news agency ANI, at the ministry of external affairs’ bi-weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi had not received any formal communication from Dhaka on the review.“We also have seen some media reports on this matter, but nothing has been conveyed to us officially. Obviously, India will take all necessary actions to protect its interests,” Jaiswal said.Bangladesh’s ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has said the agreements are being examined with the country’s national interests in mind. chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said last week, “We are reviewing the agreements that mean 101 MoUs and you will get its (review) result soon.”The review covers arrangements signed under former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. Among the areas under scrutiny are agreements linked to the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports, connectivity and other bilateral projects. Dhaka has not announced a blanket cancellation of the agreements.The developments come as India-Bangladesh ties face scrutiny over trade, transit, energy, border management and water-sharing issues. India has previously extended more than $7 billion through Lines of Credit for infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, while bilateral arrangements have also enabled the movement of Indian cargo through Bangladeshi ports.
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Water-sharing remains another key issue. The 1996 Ganga Water Sharing Treaty is due to expire in December 2026, while the long-pending Teesta agreement remains unresolved.On Friday, Jaiswal said existing mechanisms for discussions on shared rivers remained operational.“In the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty between Bangladesh and India, we have the Joint Rivers Commission mechanism to discuss all water-related issues. Technical-level meetings on water matters continue to be held,” he said.India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers, Jaiswal said, adding that water-related issues are handled through the Joint Rivers Commission and other established bilateral mechanisms.The review of the 101 agreements is now expected to provide a clearer indication of whether Dhaka intends to retain, amend or renegotiate specific arrangements.
