Many of India’s neighbouring countries share river systems that flow through their borders. This can lead to disputes over water allocation and infrastructure projects. Examine the water-sharing agreements India has with its neighbours. Are these agreements effective? What are the ...
Cooperation 1. India and Bangladesh Cooperation - Areas of Cooperation: - Trade and Connectivity: Over all, South Asian nation of Bangladesh is the major trading partner of India. There are different regions of cooperation such as Maitree Express train, India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline etc., thrRead more
Cooperation
1. India and Bangladesh Cooperation
– Areas of Cooperation:
– Trade and Connectivity: Over all, South Asian nation of Bangladesh is the major trading partner of India. There are different regions of cooperation such as Maitree Express train, India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline etc., through which economic cooperation is intensified.
– Water Sharing: An understanding regarding Ganga River and a talk regarding the Teesta River show intentions in the direction of sorting out riparian cooperation.
– Impact: Such partnerships contribute to a variety of economic integration schemes and improve connection between the two countries.
2. India-Bhutan Relations
– Areas of Cooperation:
– Hydropower Development: The Indian market is also the primary market for Bhutan for hydropower sector, which is the main cash crop of the Bhutanese economy and the source of cheap clean energy for India.
– Strategic Partnership: Since both the weapons and even defense and foreign policy cooperation are to mutual benefit the concept of entente is apt here.
– Impact: Such collaborations enhance the economy of Bhutan and at the same time provided reinforcement of India’s strategic position.
Challenges
1. India-Pakistan Tensions
– Sources of Conflict:
The most sensitive and imminent regional issue is accession of India and Pakistan on disputed territory of Kashmir where both cross border terrorism and ceasefire violations continue.
The synergy that characterizes the region is negated by diplomatic standstill, for instance the freezing of the SAARC summit.
– Impact: Ongoing conflicts weaken the stability throughout the South Asian region and create a challenge to India’s foreign policy framework.
2. India China Rivalry In Nepal
– Sources of Conflict:
– The current rise of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investment in Nepal has threatened India’s dominance in the geopolitical sphere.
Recurrent tensions over border factors, including the Kalapani controversy, make the relations worse.
– Impact: Some of them make it difficult for the Indian to sustain its strategic interests in Nepal.
Balancing the Dynamics
1. Diplomatic Engagement: The cooperative stance of India is compensated by active confrontationism concerning global problems. For instance, daily interactions with Bangladesh and periodical talks with Bhutan display India’s diplomacy to have polite relationships, whereas, at the same time, having robust stand on security concerns with Pakistan.
2. Developmental and Economic Aid: India tries to consolidate goodwill through development aid or through a trade partnership. SAARC satellite and the International Solar Alliance are two iconic aspects of India’s leadership in the area of development.
3. Strategic Partnerships: Defense and infrastructure partnerships with friendly neighbors are being developed, strategically counterbalancing the divisive influence of China’s adversarial power in the region.
4. Connect-to-People: It is through culture and education, as in scholarships for students from neighboring countries, or even tourism, that goodwill is built at the grassroots level.
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India has had a number of shared rivers with its neighboring countries, therefore India could face problems in water sharing or water resources utilizations and disputes in the development of river projects. Water-Sharing Agreements--- 1. Indus Waters Treaty (1960) with Pakistan: This treaty is regaRead more
India has had a number of shared rivers with its neighboring countries, therefore India could face problems in water sharing or water resources utilizations and disputes in the development of river projects.
Water-Sharing Agreements—
1. Indus Waters Treaty (1960) with Pakistan: This treaty is regarded as significant because it has partitioned the waters of the Indus basin with the two countries India and Pakistan. India currently administers the eastern rivers, Sutlej, Beas, and the Ravi, those provinces are identified as the Punjab province and some parts of Rajasthan while Pakistan administers the western rivers which include the Indus, Jhelum and the Chenab.
2. Treaty relating to sharing of waters of the Ganga (1996) with Bangladesh: This treaty is concerning with the distribution of the waters of Ganga at Farakka during the lean period under the calendar year,Jan.-May. It contemplates the sharing based on a ten-day period formula.
3. Agreements with Nepal: India has several treaties with Nepal on the river projects issue like Kosi and Gandak treaty. These can be associated with the flood prevention and water supply development project.
Working of Agreements——–
1. Indus Waters Treaty: Has proved to be successful for the most part to act as a means of the avoidance of conflict; though there have been a few incidents which created tension including the construction of hydroelectric plants by India.
2. Ganga Water Treaty: Has helped in share water during dry periods but the issue on sustainability of the supply in the long term is problematic especially due to increase in demand for water in both States.
3. Nepal Agreements: By and large, these agreements have proved mixed success. Moments: Some projects have been useful to the society and man kind while some have been time consuming and caused disagreements.
Challenges—–
1. Increasing Water Demand: Increasing populations and achieving better socioeconomic conditions in South Asia are increasing pressures on water resources and compounds competition.
2. Climate Change: Climate change is changing the pattern of precipitation, the rate of glacier melt, river discharge, and other water-related factors that make water management even more challenging.
3. Lack of Trust and Political Will: Politics often play a part and countries lack trust for each other, so cooperation cannot be established and agreements cannot be put into practice.
4. Data Sharing and Monitoring: Inadequate data sharing and monitoring of river flows can create transparency issues and fuel mistrust.
Opportunities———
-Joint River Basin Management: Promoting collaborative management of shared river basins through joint institutions and data sharing mechanisms.
-Sustainable Water Infrastructure: Investing in water-efficient technologies and infrastructure, including rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment.
-Early Warning Systems: Development of and implementation of early warning systems for floods and droughts to mitigate the impact of these disasters.
See lessRegional Cooperation: Encourage regional cooperation on water management through forums such as South Asia Water Initiative.