Climate change and environmental degradation have significant implications for India’s relations with its neighbors, particularly in areas of water scarcity, natural disasters, and cross-border migration. Here’s an examination of these impacts and India’s efforts to address regional challenges:

1. Water Scarcity:
Impact:
Shared Rivers: India shares river systems with several neighboring countries, including Pakistan (Indus River), Bangladesh (Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna system), Nepal (Ganga and its tributaries), and Bhutan (Brahmaputra). Changes in precipitation patterns and glacial melt due to climate change affect water availability downstream.
Water Stress: Increasing water stress exacerbates tensions over transboundary water sharing, leading to disputes and challenges in water management.
India’s Efforts:
Water Diplomacy: India has engaged in water diplomacy through treaties and agreements (e.g., Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, Ganges Water Treaty with Bangladesh) to manage shared water resources.
Infrastructure Development: Projects like river basin development and water conservation initiatives aim to enhance water availability and efficiency.
2. Natural Disasters:
Impact:
Floods and Cyclones: Climate change intensifies extreme weather events, leading to more frequent and severe floods (e.g., Brahmaputra floods affecting India and Bangladesh) and cyclones (e.g., Cyclone Amphan impacting India and Bangladesh).
Cross-border Impacts: Natural disasters often cross borders, requiring coordinated disaster response and management.
India’s Efforts:
Regional Cooperation: India participates in regional initiatives like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Disaster Management Centre to enhance regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and response.
Technical Assistance: India provides technical assistance and humanitarian aid to neighboring countries during natural disasters.
3. Cross-border Migration:
Impact:
Environmental Refugees: Climate change-induced factors such as droughts, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events contribute to cross-border migration, displacing populations in neighboring countries.
Social and Economic Pressures: Large-scale migration can strain resources and infrastructure, leading to socio-economic tensions.
India’s Efforts:
Policy Framework: India is developing policies and frameworks to manage climate-induced migration, including disaster preparedness and rehabilitation programs.
Bilateral and Multilateral Engagement: India engages bilaterally and through international forums to address migration challenges, emphasizing regional cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
Assessment of India’s Efforts:
Regional Initiatives: India has actively participated in regional frameworks like SAARC and BIMSTEC to address climate and environmental challenges collectively.
Bilateral Agreements: Bilateral agreements on water sharing and disaster management reflect India’s efforts to maintain stable relations with its neighbors amidst environmental challenges.
Capacity Building: India supports capacity-building initiatives in neighboring countries to enhance their resilience to climate impacts and strengthen regional cooperation.
Conclusion:
Climate change and environmental degradation significantly influence India’s relations with its neighbors, impacting water resources, natural disasters, and cross-border migration. India’s efforts to address these challenges include diplomatic engagements, policy frameworks, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation initiatives. Moving forward, continued collaboration and adaptive strategies will be crucial to mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change and fostering sustainable development in the region.