A Comparative Study Of Water Disputes Between India And Pakistan

Water resources constitute essential strategic resources for human survival and nationaldevelopment, which are vigorously developed and protected by various countries. In the currentworld, as competition over water is increasingly fierce, trans-boundary water issues also involvemany countries. Consequently, peaceful settlements of water disputes, which are full ofuncertainties, require cooperative games among many countries. As settlements of trans-boundarywater disputes vary, factors influencing peaceful solutions to trans-boundary rivers issues are alsodiverse. However, the most important factors include the activeness and effectiveness of thirdparty intervention, the clarity and details of basin treaties, the feasibility and practicability ofcooperation framework and the comprehensiveness and reasonableness of dispute settlementmechanism.Trans-boundary water disputes in South Asia mainly exist in India and its neighbors, includingdisputes over Indus between India and Pakistan, and disputes over the Ganges River among India,Nepal and Bangladesh. With intervention of World Bank and third countries, India and Nepal havesigned “Indus Waters Treaty”, establishing a sound, predictable mechanism for cooperation anddispute settlement, based on which most water disputes between the two countries have beenpeacefully settled. In trans-boundary water disputes between India and Bangladesh, role of thirdparty is restricted due to India’s objection. In addition, the contents of “The Indus Waters Treaty”are vague, offering no practical mechanism for dispute settlement between the two countries.Therefore, water disputes between the two countries remain fierce.Trans-boundary river disputes, as an important factor affecting China’s foreign relationship withneighboring countries, should be properly settled to avoid escalating to diplomatic conflicts.Settlement of the India-Pakistan, India-Bangladesh water disputes have offered valuable lessonsfor China’s water disputes with regard to trans-boundary rivers: first, the current treaty of China’scross-border rivers should be improved; second, a sound mechanism for dispute settlement shouldbe established; third, third party should be allowed to properly play a supporting role in theprocess of Chin’s trans-boundary river management. These measures will be conducive to thedevelopment and utilization of trans-boundary water resources, and will also help facilitateharmonious surrounding relationships for China.