UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 March 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs India’s Water Diplomacy – Regional Cooperation and Strategic Interests

India's Water Diplomacy - Regional Cooperation and Strategic Interests

The article discusses India’s water diplomacy, focusing on its efforts to manage transboundary water resources through regional cooperation and strategic agreements.
It highlights the importance of water diplomacy in addressing water scarcity, climate change, and geopolitical challenges in South Asia.

Water diplomacy has gained prominence due to increasing water stress, climate change impacts, and geopolitical tensions in South Asia.
The topic is relevant for UPSC aspirants as it touches upon international relations, environmental issues, and strategic interests, making it important for GS Paper 2 (International Relations) and GS Paper 3 (Environment).

Transboundary Rivers:
- India shares 54 transboundary rivers with neighboring countries, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus.
- Effective management of these rivers is crucial for regional stability and sustainable development.
Climate Change:
- Climate change has exacerbated water scarcity and flood risks, making water diplomacy essential for disaster management and resource sharing.
Geopolitical Tensions:
- Water disputes, such as those with Pakistan (Indus Waters Treaty) and China (Brahmaputra River), have significant geopolitical implications.

Indus Waters Treaty (1960):
- A landmark agreement between India and Pakistan, mediated by the World Bank, to share the waters of the Indus River system.
- Despite political tensions, the treaty has largely remained intact, demonstrating the importance of water diplomacy.
Ganges Water Sharing Treaty (1996):
- An agreement between India and Bangladesh to share the waters of the Ganges River at Farakka Barrage.
- The treaty has facilitated cooperation and trust-building between the two countries.
Regional Cooperation:
- India has engaged in multilateral initiatives like the South Asia Water Initiative (SAWI) and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to promote regional water management.
Hydropower Projects:
- India has developed hydropower projects on transboundary rivers, such as the Teesta River with Bangladesh, to enhance energy security and regional cooperation.

Upstream-Downstream Disputes:
- Countries like China (upstream) and Bangladesh (downstream) have raised concerns over India’s water usage and hydropower projects.
Climate Change:
- Erratic rainfall and glacial melt due to climate change have increased the complexity of water sharing agreements.
Political Tensions:
- Bilateral tensions, such as those between India and Pakistan, often hinder effective water diplomacy.
Data Sharing:
- Lack of real-time data sharing on river flows and water usage complicates negotiations and trust-building.

National Security:
- Ensuring water security is vital for India’s agriculture, energy production, and domestic consumption.
Regional Leadership:
- Effective water diplomacy enhances India’s role as a regional leader and fosters goodwill among neighboring countries.
Sustainable Development:
- Collaborative water management supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and promotes climate resilience.

India’s water diplomacy plays a critical role in managing transboundary water resources, addressing climate change, and ensuring regional stability.
While challenges like upstream-downstream disputes and political tensions persist, initiatives like the Indus Waters Treaty and Ganges Water Sharing Treaty demonstrate the potential for cooperation and trust-building.