UPSC
Exam Nugget
India’s Water Diplomacy
Last Updated
15th March, 2025
Date Published
15th March, 2025

- Overview of India's Water Diplomacy
- Objective: Balancing regional cooperation with national and strategic interests.
- Context: Increasing competition with China, especially regarding transboundary rivers like the Brahmaputra and Indus.
- Key Treaties and Agreements
Indus Waters Treaty (IWT):
- Signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan.
- Allocates water rights: India controls eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), Pakistan controls western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab).
- Established the Permanent Indus Commission for dispute resolution.
Ganga Water Treaty (1996):
- Facilitates fair sharing of Ganga river water post-Farakka Barrage construction.
- Ongoing discussions for renewal in 2026.
Teesta Water-Sharing Agreement:
- Stalled negotiations since 2011 due to opposition from West Bengal's Chief Minister.
- Critical for Bangladesh's agriculture and consumption.
Mahakali Treaty (1996):
- Combines multiple agreements for the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project between India and Nepal.
- Addresses water access concerns but faces political delays.
- Challenges Faced by India
- Lower Riparian State: India’s position as a lower riparian state complicates negotiations, especially with upstream countries like China.
- China's Hydro-Hegemony: China's unilateral actions on rivers (e.g., Mekong) challenge India's water-sharing frameworks.
- Political Tensions: Ongoing disputes with Pakistan and internal opposition in India affect water diplomacy.
- Impact on Bhutan's Development
- Hydropower Cooperation: India has significantly contributed to Bhutan's hydropower sector, which is vital for Bhutan's economy (63% of exports).
- Key Projects: Chukha Hydropower Project and ongoing projects under the 2006 Agreement on Hydropower Cooperation.
- Comparison with China's Approach
- China's Strategy: Reluctance to adhere to international water-sharing norms, focusing on hydro-hegemony.
- India's Approach: Emphasises cooperative frameworks and treaties to manage shared water resources.
Link To The Original Article – https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/indias-water-diplomacy-regional-cooperation-and-strategic-interests-9885159/