Observer Research Foundation is a public policy think-tank that aims to influence formulation of policies for building a strong and prosperous India. ORF pursues these goals by providing informed and productive inputs, in-depth research and stimulating discussions. The Foundation is supported in its mission by a cross-section of India’s leading public figures, academics and business leaders. 1 | www.orfonline.org | September 2013 anga or the Ganges is one of the important rivers of South Asia. It is a trans-boundary river between India and Bangladesh. Some rivers, originating in the Tibetan Autonomous Gregion of the People's Republic of China and passing through Nepal, are the tributaries of this great river along with some Indian rivers. Its basin covers a little more than 1 million sq km and spreads over four countries–China, Nepal, India and Bangladesh (Table and Map). Cooperation among the countries of the basin, especially among Nepal, India and Bangladesh has been a subject of discussions at the political and professional levels for a long time for harnessing the water of the Ganges for the socio-economic betterment of the people of these three countries. Yet it has remained a mirage. Of the Ganga-basin countries, India is the dominant user of the Ganges water and major player in regional cooperation. To fulfil her water requirements, India has been pursuing a policy of bilateralism with Nepal and Bangladesh in relation to the waters of this river and its tributaries for the last six Introduction * Dwarika N. Dhungel Regional Cooperation on the Ganga Basin: Yet a mirage? Take Me and Mine Into You Forever, O Mother Ganga Pandit Jagannath on Ganga Laharai during 1500 AD (http://creative.sulekha.com) * This paper has been prepared for the Mekong–Ganga Dialogue II. The author wishes to acknowledge and thank Messers. Aditya Man Shrestha, Anil Shreastha, Mahendra Raj Sapkota, Sanjya Dhungel, Santa Bahadur Pun, Shyam Prasad Adhikari and participants of the said Dialogue II for their inputs and suggestions to improve its contents. However, the author alone is responsible for all the omissions and commissions. Also they do not represent the views of any government and non governmental institutions in Nepal. INTRA-REGIONAL GANGA INITIATIVE SEPTEMBER 2013 ISSUE BRIEF The Asia Foundation