Bangladesh's National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has threatened fresh protests against any move to establish an Indian transit corridor through the country, while demanding that a renewed Ganges water-sharing agreement with New Delhi protect Bangladesh's share of the river.
Addressing a rally in Dhaka on Friday, Islam accused Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government of attempting to facilitate the proposed corridor. He also warned that people would take to the streets if the Ganges water-sharing treaty was not renewed on terms that safeguarded Bangladesh's interests, according to local media reports cited by news agency Press Trust of India.
“The people of Bangladesh will not accept any such illegal corridor,” bdnews24 quoted Islam as saying, alleging that Japan was once again seeking to establish a route through Bangladesh to provide connectivity to India.
The NCP was formed in February 2025 by leaders associated with the student-led movement that played a central role in the July 2024 protests against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Japan visit sparks corridor concerns
Islam's remarks followed Rahman's four-day visit to Japan from October 26 to 29, during which Bangladesh and Japan agreed to upgrade their Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative into a broader strategic cooperation framework.
The initiative is expected to focus on improving regional connectivity, preparing for natural disasters and geopolitical risks, encouraging public-private partnerships to promote economic growth, and cooperation on peace and stability. The two countries also agreed to work towards developing the Bay of Bengal region, with Bangladesh as its hub, into an area of shared prosperity.
Japan is separately supporting the development of the Matarbari deep-sea port in southeastern Bangladesh through funding from its development agency, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Japanese officials have previously outlined a wider regional connectivity plan centred on the port, envisaging an industrial chain connecting India's northeastern states with the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia through Bangladesh.
During Rahman's visit, JICA also reiterated its support for infrastructure projects, including the Matarbari port, alongside initiatives covering investment, disaster risk reduction and flood management.
However, Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir rejected suggestions that the visit involved discussions concerning a third country. Speaking to reporters on Friday, he said the talks had focused on the economic partnership between Dhaka and Tokyo.
“We made it very clear... no third country reference,” the Dhaka Tribune quoted Kobir as saying. He added that if matters involving other countries were to be discussed, representatives of those countries would have to be present. The United News of Bangladesh also reported his remarks.
India, meanwhile, said on October 28 that it wanted to strengthen its partnership with Japan, including initiatives involving India's northeastern states. The statement by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came hours after Rahman and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed to improve regional connectivity and signed agreements providing additional Japanese assistance for the Matarbari deep-sea port.
“We have a very strong partnership with Japan. We also have several initiatives involving northeast India and Japan, and we would like to further strengthen these linkages,” Jaiswal said in New Delhi, according to PTI.
Nahid warns of protests over Ganges treaty
Islam also raised the issue of the Ganges water-sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh, which is due to expire on December 12, 2026. He warned that Bangladeshis would launch fresh protests if a renewed agreement failed to protect the country's rightful share of the river's waters.
“This time we will not give up even a single bit of our fair share in the Ganga Water Treaty,” bdnews24 quoted him as saying.
Signed on December 12, 1996, the 30-year agreement governs the sharing of Ganges waters between the two countries at the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal during the lean season, from January to May. The treaty has been in operation for five months each year since 1997.
Bangladesh has been seeking a new or revised long-term agreement that includes a guarantee clause, similar to the provision in the 1977 agreement, to safeguard its share during the dry season. Bangladesh's Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said earlier this month that restoring the guarantee clause was among Dhaka's priorities and expressed hope that a new agreement could be reached before the existing treaty expires.
India has said that discussions on river-related and water-sharing matters with Bangladesh take place through the bilateral Joint Rivers Commission. The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated this position in October amid Dhaka's push for a revised agreement.
The two issues raised by Nahid, therefore, come against the backdrop of ongoing discussions over regional connectivity and the approaching deadline for the Ganges water-sharing treaty. While he has opposed any proposed transit corridor through Bangladesh, he has also called for a renewed water-sharing arrangement that protects the country's interests.