In a case study for the U.S. Naval War College entitled “Water Wars: The Brahmaputra River and Sino-Indian Relations,” TAG’s China expert Mark Christopher focuses on the cross-border tensions between China and India over water in order to develop a larger framework for examining security challenges related to water. Mr. Christopher argues that while we often think of water conflicts in terms of access to drinking water, most water is needed for industrial and agricultural purposes; when rivers run dry, crops fail and communities face famine and starvation. He notes that issues related to water access can exacerbate internal conflicts, create state-to-state friction, and lead to armed clashes. In this case study, Mr. Christopher examines four key issues: international river governance norms, food security issues, water governance, and the key role of geography. This study informs our understanding of the linkages between water and security, particularly in regions in the world where armed groups and irregular warfare are a daily reality.
You can read the full text of Mr. Christopher’s case study here: