Vandana Yadav
Independent Researcher
Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
The management of transboundary river water resources in South Asia has long been characterized by complex geopolitical dynamics, rooted in historical agreements, evolving environmental pressures, and asymmetric power relations among riparian states. This enhanced abstract expands upon prior analyses by offering a comprehensive synthesis of the historical evolution, institutional arrangements, technical challenges, and emerging geopolitical tensions inherent in the sharing of the Indus, Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna (GBM), and Teesta river basins. Employing a multi-pronged methodological framework—comprising hydrological trend analysis, treaty document exegesis, and in-depth interviews with a diverse array of stakeholders across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan—this study uncovers the layered complexities that underpin water negotiations in the region. Key findings indicate that while legacy treaties such as the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and the 1996 Ganges Treaty provide a foundational basis for cooperation, their static allocation formulas and narrow dispute-resolution mechanisms are increasingly mismatched with contemporary realities. Climate change–driven hydrological variability, glacial retreat reducing dry-season flows, and the proliferation of new infrastructure projects upstream have introduced uncertainties that existing legal frameworks struggle to accommodate. Furthermore, riparian power asymmetries—particularly India’s upstream dominance—have generated recurring perceptions of inequity, fueling both diplomatic friction and domestic securitization narratives.
Keywords
Transboundary Rivers, South Asia, Water Governance, Geopolitics, Climate Resilience
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