• +917676167901
  • info@jiceias.com
Login

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

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.
India's Water Diplomacy - Regional Cooperation and Strategic Interests

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Climate Change:
    • Climate change has exacerbated water scarcity and flood risks, making water diplomacy essential for disaster management and resource sharing.
  3. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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:

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

Strategic Interests:

  1. National Security:
    • Ensuring water security is vital for India’s agriculture, energy production, and domestic consumption.
  2. Regional Leadership:
    • Effective water diplomacy enhances India’s role as a regional leader and fosters goodwill among neighboring countries.
  3. 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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Address – #6, 1st  Floor , Above Just Bake,  1st Main Road,  Chandra Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560040

Head Office – #1045, 2nd Floor, 6th Main Road, Vijayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560040

Call us:  Bengaluru: 7676167901 / 9035528526

 Dharwad: 9591673505/ 9591693505

Useful Links

Copyright © JICE ACADEMY FOR EXCELLENCE PRIVATE LIMITED