The Sino-India ‘water wars’ narrative has been overblown and there is a need for a better understanding of China’s intent.

For years, Indian security analysts, most notably Dr. Brahma Chellaney, have been warning of the coming water wars between India and China. While water issues could emerge as a major threat to Sino-India relations given rapidly rising demand, competing water usages and threats from climate change, the ‘water wars’ narrative has been overblown.

Furthermore, to address growing water challenges and manage the potential water disputes between two countries, there is an urgent need for a better understanding of China’s intent and Sino-Indian disputes need to be re-examined in terms of two misperceptions: the Grand Western Water Diversion Plan and China as an uncooperative water hegemon.

…Zhang Hongzhou is an Associate Research Fellow with the China Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.