Water Wars: The Hidden Fight Between India and Pakistan
Militarization of rivers by India: Pakistan confronts water-related security concerns
Just like wars aren't always fought with bullets and bombs, sometimes the battlefield is water. For India and Pakistan, this secret fight for control over water resources has been a constant, if hidden, war.
Upstream Dominance
Being an upstream nation, India, with more than 3 times the population of Pakistan, holds the advantage in the water conflict. Pakistan relies on external sources for over 75% of its renewable water supplies, and the impact of India's decisions can be devastating.
Water History
The water feud between India and Pakistan began almost as soon as they gained independence in 1947. The partition left the Indus River and its tributaries in dispute, leading to disagreements over water rights. In 1948, India blocked water supplies to Pakistan via crucial canals, causing a crisis that was temporarily resolved through diplomatic talks [4].
The Indus Waters Treaty
To prevent major water wars, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed in 1960. The treaty assigned the three western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—to Pakistan, while India received the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej). However, disputes surrounding the treaty's interpretation and enforcement persist.
Recent Battles
In recent years, India's construction of dams on rivers allocated to Pakistan under the IWT has been a significant point of contention. Projects like the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project have sparked protests from Pakistan, claiming they would reduce water flow downstream [4]. India argues that these projects comply with the IWT's specifications, but the ongoing tension has created mistrust and heightened tensions.
Water Weapons used
- Water Embargo (1948): India's decision to cut off water supplies to Pakistan through vital canals was a pioneering example of wielding water as leverage. The crisis was solved temporarily through negotiations [4].
- Dams and Hydroelectric Projects: India's construction of dams on rivers earmarked for Pakistan has been seen as a strategic move to control water resources. This strategy has led to diplomatic disputes and escalating tensions between the two nations.
Consequences
Using water as a weapon in the India-Pakistan conflict has several consequences:
- Economic Impact: Any disruption in water supply can cause severe damage to Pakistan's agriculture and industry, leading to economic instability.
- Political Tensions: Water disputes often provoke broader political crises, making it difficult to address other issues and straining relations.
- Security Risk: Heightened tensions over water can increase the potential for military conflict, given the sensitive nature of water resources in the region.
The ongoing water war between India and Pakistan shows no signs of abating, even as both nations recognize the strategic importance of water resources.
- Despite the signed Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 to prevent major water wars, disputes over the treaty's interpretation and enforcement persist, indicating a continuous politics of water between India and Pakistan.
- India's decision to block water supplies to Pakistan via crucial canals in 1948, known as the Water Embargo, was a pioneering example of using water as leverage in the ongoing politics between the two nations.
- In recent politics, India's construction of dams and hydroelectric projects on rivers allocated to Pakistan has been a significant point of contention, leading to diplomatic disputes and escalating tensions.
- The ongoing water politics between India and Pakistan not only has severe economic impacts on Pakistan due to potential disruptions in water supply but also politically tensions the relationship and poses a security risk given the sensitive nature of water resources in the region.
