Area of dispute in Kashmir (courtesy of New York Times)
BANDIPORE, Kashmir — The new battle between India and Pakistan comes not from ethnic violence, but from water flowing down from beautiful mountain glaciers in the high Himalayan valley in the Indian-controlled side of Kashmir, to farmers’ fields in Pakistan’s agricultural heartland. I can say without a doubt that this is a constant topic of “water-cooler” type conversation among the academic as well as the common community. Indian workers in Kashmir are racing to build an expensive hydroelectric dam in a remote valley near here – one of many India plans to build over the next ten years to feed its rapidly growing economy. But are they illegal?
Lydia Polgreen of the New York Times reports that in Pakistan, the project raises fears that India, its upriver nation, would have the power to manipulate the water flowing to its agriculture industry which is a quarter of its already poor economy and employs half its population. But how can they stop it? Water has become a growing source of tension in many parts of the world between nations striving for growth (also know as transboundary water conflicts). Across the Himalayas, China’s own dam projects have piqued India, a rival for regional, and even global, power.
But the fight here adds a new segment of volatility to one of the most disrespected relationships anywhere, – one between nuclear-armed nations who have already fought three wars.
With their populations rapidly expanding, water is critical to both nations. According to water experts, Pakistan contains the world’s largest contiguous irrigation system. The rivers that traverse Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province and the heart of its agriculture industry are the country’s lifeline, and the dispute over their use goes to the heart of its fears about India.
For India, the hydroelectric projects are vital to securing Himalayan water to fill in the serious energy shortfalls that hurt its economy. Surprisingly, despite being a growing economic power, about 40 percent of India’s population is off the power grid, and lack of electricity which hampers industry. For example, as I sit here today in Ahmedabad, the sixth largest city in India, the power grid is stable for the most, part but does go out in vital parts of the day affecting everyone from doctors in hospitals to the minister of Gujarat. The Kishenganga project in Kashmir is a crucial part of India’s plans to alleviate issues such as these.
