Water has been an important resource for the growth and livelihood of the human race. As the global population continues to grow at a rapid pace, the need and importance of water is increasing day by day.
As important as water resources are to the movement of the world, it has also become an important driving force in world politics. In our lifetime we have seen wars waged to loot oil resources. Apart from that, the world has experienced two wars. It is said that the next third world war is likely to happen because of the dominance of countries over water.
In recent years, water has become a conflict between two of the world’s most populous and fastest-growing countries, China and India.
The water resources between these two neighboring countries are fueling speculations. Especially the rivers flowing through the borders of these countries are creating tension and geopolitical tensions between these two countries.
It is said that China’s population growth, urbanization, and industrialization are at the root of the tension caused by water dominance.
Due to the booming industrialization in China, the country is forced to exercise its dominance and pressure on water resources. China’s obsession with controlling the rivers that flow through the two countries has led to endless disputes in the region.
The Himalayan region, which is an important source of water for both China and India, and has a network of perennial rivers, has become the focal point of this conflict. This snowy land is experiencing the heat of political turmoil.
The Brahmaputra River (known as the Yarlung Tsangbo in China), which is a major disputed area between China and India, originates in Tibet and flows through India and Bangladesh. The Indus River flows from Tibet to India and Pakistan. and the Sutlej River, originating in Tibet and flowing into India.
China has been accused of developing its own “water dominance strategy” targeting transboundary rivers in the region. China’s construction of dams to stem flowing rivers has raised many doubts and questions, including the impact on India’s water security and environment.
This valuable water resource has been one of the main reasons for China to tighten its dominance and grip on Tibet.
Located in the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau is considered to be the main source of the headwaters of ten of Asia’s major rivers, including the Yellow, Yangtze, Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Salween and Mekong. It is because of these high water resources that Tibet is known as the “Water Tower of Asia”.
Flowing through eleven countries, these rivers provide livelihoods for billions of people from Afghanistan to India in South Asia and Vietnam in Southeast Asia.
Due to China’s geographical location, China has a monopoly and dominance of the major rivers that carry water to most of South and Southeast Asia.
Both the Indus and the Brahmaputra rivers flow from China through its borders into India.
In fact, China has more water resources than any other country in the world. Although China controls the water resources of the Tibetan Plateau, it is facing a massive water crisis due to industrial development and massive environmental pollution.
China exerting its influence on the Brahmaputra River, one of India’s main sources of water, and building dams to intercept the flowing rivers have become major factors in the Sino-Indian conflict.
As there is no formal water sharing agreement with China, these projects are putting pressure on India.
China’s construction of dams on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra river has created a lot of tension between the two countries. China announced the construction of the “Zangmu” dam construction project, which opened in 2015, for hydropower developments.
India accuses China of not only reducing the flow of downstream river water, but also of giving China the ability to control water resources. India says it will create major impacts on its country in flood and drought situations.
India had warned of China’s plans to divert water from the Brahmaputra to its arid northern regions. India says such diversions will affect agriculture, drinking water supply and overall water security within India.
India has repeatedly asked China for transparent data sharing on China’s water projects on the Brahmaputra River. Although China has agreed to provide water level data to India during flood emergencies, India says the arrangement is insufficient and unclear.
The emerging issue of water resource sharing between China and India is intertwined with geopolitical and regional political tensions.
The history of territorial disputes between the two countries is very long. Especially in the Himalayan region, they have occasionally erupted into military conflicts. It is noteworthy that China is carrying out domineering activities in the Himalayan region in the hope of keeping control of the water resources across the borders, creating problems and geopolitical tensions in the region.
– Adavan
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