Hydro-Diplomacy in South Asia: The Conclusion of the Ganges and the Mahakali River Treaties

Abstract

South Asia, one of the most populous and thirsty regions of the world, has had to deal with more than its fair share of international water-related problems in the second half of the century. The first major water-related problem, which concerned the river Indus between India and Pakistan, was resolved by these two states to their satisfaction and for good in the early 1960s. Thanks to the wisdom and far-sightedness of their political leaders and the constructive role of mediation and conciliation played by the World Bank, a treaty was concluded between India and Pakistan in 1960 on sharing the waters of the Indus. At the same time a dispute over the Ganges River between India and Bangladesh was brewing.

Keywords: Ganges River, Bangladesh, India, International Law, Waters