At the crossroads of rivers and rivalries

Water is more than just a lifeline - it's a tool of power, diplomacy and survival, especially in regions where access to it is a source of tension and conflict. As the world faces growing water scarcity, managing shared water resources is becoming a geopolitical challenge of the highest order. Nowhere is this more evident than in the water conflicts involving Israel, Palestine, India and Pakistan, where diplomatic maneuvering over rivers and dams shapes the political landscape as much as any border dispute.

In the arid Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deeply intertwined with water. Israel controls nearly 85% of the shared water resources in the West Bank including the Mountain Aquifer and Jordan River, leaving Palestinians to survive on a fraction of the available supply. UN figures say the Israeli population used to be virtually 300 liters per person, whereas the Palestinians are now barely accessing 70 liters, as opposed to 100 – the minimum recommended by WHO.

In South Asia, the stakes are equally high. The Indus Waters Treaty's limitations have become glaringly obvious as India continues to build dams and hydroelectric projects on the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) that are supposed to flow freely into Pakistan. India's Kishanganga and Baglihar dam projects which, Pakistan claims, reduce the flow of water into its territories, have led to multiple disputes being taken to international arbitration. For Pakistan, these projects represent not just an environmental concern but an existential threat. The headworks of major Pakistani rivers are located in Indian territory, making Pakistan vulnerable to India's water policies. This dependence is a ticking time bomb, especially in times of drought or political tension.

Internally, Pakistan faces its own water management crisis, with the Kalabagh Dam issue epitomising the deep divisions within the country. Proposed as a 3,600 MW hydroelectric project capable of storing 6.1 maf water, the Kalabagh Dam has been a political flashpoint for decades. The provinces have different views on the project, with Punjab proposing the project as a measure to regulate floods and provision of electrical power which is much in demand. Sindh, KPK and Balochistan have strong objections to the proposal. Sindh apprehends the dam would curtail the water flow of the Indus river and its farms will be deprived of water. KPK believes the dam will submerge large portions of Nowshera and many will be made homeless. The project has been transformed from one of inundation to the most stark definition of inter-regional distrust, the consequences of which only serve to demonstrate the need for a more participatory approach in dealing with national water projects.

The way forward is clear: regional cooperation and sustainable water management must be prioritised. First, water-sharing agreements, like the Indus Waters Treaty, need to be updated to reflect modern realities - climate change, rising populations and increased water demand. Nations must invest in efficient water infrastructure, from modern irrigation systems to dams that do not disrupt ecosystems or displace large populations. International bodies should oversee disputes to ensure agreements are upheld, and any new projects should be subject to environmental impact assessments that consider not just technical feasibility but the human cost. Moreover, governments and populations alike must come to terms with a critical reality: there is no mega project without a mega sacrifice. However, adequate compensation, resettlement plans and livelihood support must be guaranteed to all those displaced by large-scale infrastructure projects.

Water diplomacy is no longer an option - it is a necessity. Countries must view cooperation, not competition, as the only way forward. Whether it's sharing the Jordan River or resolving the Kalabagh Dam debate, the future of water diplomacy will determine the fate of millions. Only by coming together can we hope to secure a future where water flows not just as a resource, but as a tool of peace and stability.