Hydropolitics Unveiled: India-China Riparian Relations

This brief examines the emerging hydropolitics between India and China in the context of China’s ambitious plans in the Yarlung Tsangpo and stresses the need for India to seriously revisit current water management strategy and re-evaluate existing mechanisms in the region. The author further argues that there is a need to shift the focus toward the demand-side approach to ensure a more sustainable and effective management of water resources. India’s regional water strategy has to operate on multi-levels, particularly collaborating across sectors and move beyond state actors and official water managers. This in all likelihood might serve as a stepping stone to fostering wider cooperation on the emerging water challenges in the region.