China-Backed Teesta Project: India Watches Warily as Bangladesh Tilts Towards Beijing

Bangladesh's recent pivot to China for the multi-billion dollar Teesta River development project has put India on high alert, prompting a cautious response from New Delhi. Following Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visit to Beijing last month, China has pledged significant support for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, aiming to address critical water management needs in Bangladesh. This move marks a significant shift, as Bangladesh has bypassed long-stalled negotiations with India over the crucial transboundary river. This development is far more than just an infrastructure deal; it's a critical geopolitical play. For over 15 years, a water-sharing agreement on the Teesta between India and Bangladesh remained in limbo, largely due to domestic political hurdles in India's West Bengal state. Beijing readiness to fund and execute the Teesta project positions it as a key development partner, while simultaneously expanding its strategic footprint in India's neighborhood. India views China's increased presence, especially near its sensitive Siliguri Corridor, as a direct security concern, given its proximity to the narrow land strip connecting India's northeastern states to the mainland. Adding to New Delhi's worries, China is also actively pushing for a broader China-Bangladesh-Myanmar Economic Corridor, aiming for direct access to the Bay of Bengal, much like its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on India's western flank. As India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has stated it will 'closely monitor' and 'factor all related developments' into its approach, the stakes for regional stability are rising. This diplomatic chess match will intensify, especially with the Ganges Water Treaty between India and Bangladesh due for renewal by December 2026, potentially offering a window for renewed dialogue or further friction. Bangladesh's 'multi-vector foreign policy' strategy of balancing major powers is certainly being tested, and how India responds—whether with alternative development aid or renewed urgency on water sharing—will define the next chapter of South Asian geopolitics.