Geopolitics of Water Sharing in South Asia: A Case of Indus and Ganga Basins

Abstract

The geopolitics of water sharing in South Asia has emerged as a critical dimension of regional security and cooperation, with the Indus and Ganga river basins standing at the center of hydro political debates. Shared by multiple countries including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and China, these transboundary rivers not only sustain millions of livelihoods but also serve as instruments of power, negotiation, and conflict. The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) between India and Pakistan remains a rare case of durable bilateral agreement despite political hostilities, yet recent tensions highlight challenges of climate change, water scarcity, and unilateral projects. Similarly, the Ganga basin epitomizes both cooperation and contestation, as India’s water management policies intersect with Nepal’s hydropower ambitions and Bangladesh’s downstream concerns. The increasing pressures of population growth, agricultural demand, and changing monsoon patterns further intensify the stakes. This study explores how water-sharing agreements, power asymmetries, and emerging environmental threats shape the geopolitics of South Asia, making the Indus and Ganga basins a test case for balancing national interests with regional sustainability.