The water front

• PYQs linkage:

• River water disputes are emerging as a major source of irritation between India and its neighbours. Identify the sources of conflicts and suggest the remedial measures. 15 (2015)
• Analyse the impact of hydro-politics on Indo-Bangladesh relations. 10(2020)
• Discuss the steps required to realise ‘hydro co-operation’ between India and Bangladesh. 10 (2022)

• Theory application:

  Resource Dependence theory, Complex Interdependence theory

• Concepts and keywords:

  “tickling water bomb”, strategic counter,

• Important facts:

• Construction of $170 billion hydro power project on the Yarlung Zangbo by China
• Expected to generate 60GW of electricity.

• important quotes or statements:

Arunachal CM Pema Khandu described Chinese project as a “Ticking Water bomb”.

• Brief analysis and key points from the news or editorial:

What are the key challenges by this hydro power project:

1. An increase in the Chinese capacity to manipulate the river’s flows increases the risks of floods in the North East region.
2. It could disrupt water flow to the hydro power projects proposed in Northeast region, impacting country’s hydropower potential.

What is the existing mechanism to address this:

1. In 2013, India and China signed a MoU on sharing information on river flows.

What needs to be done:

1. Building a multipurpose project in the Siang region as a strategic counter to the Chinese hydro station.
2. Building necessary safeguard and removing apprehensions with respect to displacement and livelihood loses, so that work on building storage facilities can be fast tracked.

• Practice question (framing based PYQs dimensions):

Discuss the various facets of hydro politics in South Asia in contemporary times. 15 Marks