Geopolitics of Water in South Asia

Abstract

South Asia is faced with water scarcity, with possible water conflict in the future. The challenges in the water sector largely relate to disputes and difficulties arising from unequal flow distribution of transboundary rivers, as well as engineering interventions like dams, barrages and storages, with complete disregard for the agreements signed bilaterally between various states. India is a source of conflict in the water-sharing arrangements with its co-basin countries. Low riparian states have been raising concerns over India‘s tendency to use water of common rivers unilaterally without taking into account its human, social, economic and ecological cost. This paper focuses on conflict over waterrelated problems and their effects on inter-state relations in South Asia. It highlights the challenges of water development such as mismanagement of shared water resources and suggests ways to overcome water-sharing disputes in South Asia and promote peaceful coexistence.