INDO-PAK HYDROPOLITICS: IMPLICATIONS FOR DISPUTED JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Sardar Jahanzaib

doi:10.52567/pjsr.v3i02.199

Abstract

India and Pakistan have been fighting over Kashmir, a contested region that is claimed by both the countries. Competition over waterways and dependence over water assets of Kashmir remains a bone of contention between India and Pakistan. This Research paper discusses the dependence of India and Pakistan over water sources originating from Kashmir. Kashmir, besides emotional attachment also has strategic, economic and political benefits for India and Pakistan. In the twenty first century, traditional concepts of state security have been changed. We have moved from traditional security aspects to non-traditional security aspects. Water is included in one of the non-traditional security aspects. India having all cards in hands is showing its’ hegemonic by choking the loose points of Pakistan. Though Indus Water treaty was signed in 1960’s to resolve the water issues between the two countries, but still we have not found any direct solution that will resolve the water crisis and provide permanent peace in the region. There is no way forward which will provide a win win situation for India, Pakistan and Kashmir in Indus water treaty. The researcher accounted that Indus Water Treaty has proved successful as far as its’ theoretical approach is concerned, but has failed in implementation and practicality. The researcher has used Hourglass model to analyze the Indus Water Treaty and to suggest the way forward that will lead towards a conflict resolution. Mixed methods have been used in the research from secondary sources to analyze water dependence. The research also seeks to analyze Indus water treaty and to explore the prospects for equal division of water resources. The subject matter of the research is Indo-Pak water dependency over water of Kashmir with a focus on how it will contribute towards the socio-economic status of India and Pakistan in the region and also how much dependence on water would affect the regional peace and stability in Kashmir conflict. Keywords: Conflict resolution, Hourglass glass model, Kashmir conflict, India-Pakistan water dependency, Indus water Treaty, Composite Dialogue process.

Highlights

Water dependence, as per definition refers to “ A use that can be carried out only on, in, or adjacent to water because the use requires access to the water body for water-related transportation, recreation, energy production or source of water” (Water-Dependent Definition, n.d.)
Since traditional concepts of state security have been changed in the 21st century
It has moved from traditional security aspects to nontraditional security aspects

Summary

INTRODUCTION

As per definition refers to “ A use that can be carried out only on, in, or adjacent to water because the use requires access to the water body for water-related transportation, recreation, energy production or source of water” (Water-Dependent Definition, n.d.). In 2007, India started Kishanganga hydroelectric plant (Dawn.com, 2018) Pakistan has taken it as a direct violation of Indus water treaty. The Indian Prime Minister Modi, while addressing the farmers in Indian Punjab vowed to end the treaty unilaterally (Slater, 2019) This is not a favorable situation for Pakistan as it will lead to water shortage. Theoretical application of Kashmir conflict in hour glass model showed that there are certain barriers, which need to be bridged if the conflict wants to achieve all the escalation and de-escalation steps because current agreement (Indus water treaty) failed to bring the phase of normalization at different times. The seeds of the conflict are rooted in the decolonization process, territorial allocation, the developments that followed the creation of the two states and primarily, the dependence of water on Kashmir. In Shimla agreement, both countries decided that they will bilaterally decide the future of Kashmir, which is still undecided and unresolved

Kashmir

Position of Pakistan

Findings

CONCLUSION