UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15 March 2025
India's Water Diplomacy - Regional Cooperation and Strategic Interests
Introduction:
- 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.

Why in News:
- 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).
Importance of Water Diplomacy:
- 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.
Key Initiatives in India's Water Diplomacy:
- 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.
Challenges in Water Diplomacy:
- 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.
Strategic Interests:
- 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.
Conclusion:
- 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.

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