This event was held virtually, on Monday, January 29th, 2024, 8:00-10:00 AM EST.
This workshop explored the historical roots of the Indus Basin conflict, current geopolitical tensions, and the growing impact of climate change on water-sharing dynamics between India and Pakistan. The speakers offered various perspectives, ranging from historical analyses to gendered approaches to water governance.
Distinguished Speakers and Presentation Topics:
- Dr. Dorothy Noyes, Professor and Director, Mershon Center for International Security Studies:
Presentation Topic: Welcome Note. - Dr. Dan Haines, Lecturer in Disaster and Crisis Response, Institute of Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London:
Presentation Topic: Historical context of the Indus Basin conflict and potential resolution measures. - Dr. Daanish Mustafa, Geography, Kings College London:
Presentation Topic: Hydro-Geopolitics from Below: Rethinking Water Discourse in South Asia. - Ahmad Rafay Alam, Pakistani environmental lawyer and activist:
Presentation Topic: The limitations of the Indus Water Treaty. - Dr. M. Imran Mehsud, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and Fellow at The Mittal South Asia Institute at Harvard University:
Presentation Topic: Historical context of the Indus Basin water conflict. - Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel, Retired Pakistani Diplomat, former Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi, and former UN Official:
Presentation Topic: The Indus River Basin Saga: The Need for Reinvigorating the Indus Waters Treaty. - Dr. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice-Chancellor, Islamia University of Science and Technology, Kashmir:
Presentation Topic: Recent observations on the melting of the cryosphere in the Upper Indus Basin. - Dr. Mona Bhan, Ford Maxwell Professor of South Asian Studies, Syracuse University, New York, USA:
Presentation Topic: The Indus Water Treaty and Kashmir's resource sovereignty. - Dr. Medha Bisht, South Asian University, New Delhi, India:
Presentation Topic: Water Diplomacy: Beyond the Meta-Narratives. - Dr. Amit Ranjan, Research Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore:
Presentation Topic: Security and growing water nationalism in India and Pakistan. - Kosar Bano, Gender & Adaptation Specialist, Strategic Group 1: Reducing Climate and Environmental Risk, ICIMOD:
Presentation Topic: Gendered dynamics of glacial outburst floods in the upper Indus Basin. - Dr. Saurabh Vijay, Assistant Professor, Geomatics Group, Civil Engineering Department, IIT Roorkee, India:
Presentation Topic: 21st century glacier mass changes in the Himalaya-Karakoram region.
Workshop Summary:
Session 1: History of the Indus Basin Conflict
Dan Haines focused on the historical context of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), emphasizing the contingent factors that led to its creation. He argued that the treaty was a product of a unique historical moment unlikely to be repeated, making renegotiation difficult. M. Imran Mehsud presented a timeline of key historical events, including Pakistan’s hesitation in accepting the World Bank’s mediation and the separation of politics from water negotiations. He suggested that many of the challenges from the 1950s are still relevant today.
Session 2: Hydro-Geopolitics from Below
Daanish Mustafa argued that the region's water diplomacy has been dominated by a colonial approach, treating water as a mere resource disconnected from its socio-cultural significance. He introduced the concept of "hydro-heritage" and advocated for understanding water as part of local identity and culture.
Session 3: Challenges of Climate Change and Glaciers
Shakil Ahmad Romshoo provided data on the rapid melting of glaciers in the Upper Indus Basin due to rising temperatures. He stressed the need for transboundary cooperation, as the melting glaciers are shifting peak streamflow timings, which could affect agriculture and water security. Saurabh Vijay presented his research on glacier mass changes using remote sensing, highlighting regional variations and the importance of accurate data for water resource management.
Session 4: Water Diplomacy in the Age of Climate Change
Ahmad Rafay Alam critiqued the IWT’s focus on surface water while ignoring broader ecological issues and groundwater management. Mona Bhan examined how infrastructure projects, such as hydroelectric dams in Kashmir, are reinforcing India’s control over the region while undermining local resource sovereignty. Kosar Bano discussed the gendered impacts of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) on local communities, particularly the additional burdens faced by women in water governance. Amit Ranjan analyzed the rise of water nationalism in India and Pakistan, which is increasingly shaping public perception and policy on water-sharing issues.
For questions related to this event, contact Fazlul Haq at haq.47@osu.edu.