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Title Hydro Politics of the Indus River Basin: The Conflict and Cooperation Potential of Trans-Boundary Water in Pakistan-India Relations

Author(s) Zahida Jabeen

Abstract South Asia, endowed with abundant natural resources and vast river systems originating from its consecutive mountain ranges, faces persistent challenges in transboundary water governance. The unjust boundary demarcation of 1947 and unequal distribution of water resources have created enduring power asymmetries within the Indus River Basin, leading to the securitization of water in the region. Within this context, hydropolitics emerges as a critical field in security studies, offering analytical insights into the complex interplay among states sharing transboundary waters. The Indus water dispute between Pakistan and India reflects a dual pattern of conflict and cooperation, where the Indus Water Treaty (1960) has long served as a framework for water sharing but is increasingly strained by climate change impacts and persistent political tensions. Guided by a comprehensive conceptual framework, this study explores how historical grievances, strategic competition, the Kashmir conflict, cross-border terrorism, and identity-based perceptions shape the hydro-political dynamics between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Through qualitative analysis, the research identifies the underlying causes and evolving trajectories of both cooperation and confrontation in their hydro-political relationship. The findings suggest that political mistrust, historical divisions, and security rivalries continue to fuel tensions over shared water resources, threatening regional stability. The study concludes that enhanced hydro-diplomacy and cooperative water management are essential for transforming the static and conflict-prone hydro-political relations between Pakistan and India into a foundation for sustainable peace in South Asia.

Type Thesis/Dissertation PhD

Faculty Social Sciences

Department International Relations

Language English

Publication Date 2025-12-10

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