Bangladesh and China Agree to Enhance Cooperation on River Management

Bangladesh and China agreed on Thursday (25 June 2026) to enhance cooperation in the management of the Teesta and other rivers. According to Bangladesh's state-run news agency BSS, the agreement was reached during Chinese Water Resources Minister Li Guoying's meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Beijing. Tarique Rahman went to Malaysia on his first foreign visit after becoming Bangladesh's PM. He arrived in China's Dalian city on 22 June from Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, where he attended an event at the World Economic Forum. Tarique Rahman, during his meeting with Li Qing, outlined the desilting programme of rivers in Bangladesh aimed at reducing flood risk, protecting the environment, and ensuring proper management of water resources. Rahman also sought China's cooperation to improve Bangladesh's water resources management during the meeting. The Bangladeshi premier also sought China's technical assistance for the Teesta management project. In response, the Chinese minister assured full cooperation in the water resources management initiatives of the Bangladesh government during his visit to Dhaka and Qingdao in 2005.