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Diplomatic water cooperation: the case of Sino-India dispute over Brahmaputra

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  • Lei Xie

    (University of Exeter in Corwall)

  • Shaofeng Jia

    (Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

This article adopts the case study of resource management dispute over the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers (GBM) that cross national boundaries between China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and India. Sino-Indian diplomatic initiatives over the GBM give rise to a complex and unbalanced geographical situation, which presents the need to seek solutions. This article investigates the significance of the arrangement to share hydrological data resulting from Sino-Indian diplomacy. The scope and extent of formalization are key indicators of success in cooperative activity between states. This paper argues that India and China have developed a form of preliminary cooperation through the sharing of water data to resolve disputes. However, the two countries have vested varying interests in the resolution mechanism. No substantial cooperation has been established to tackle conflict resolution and water resource management. This case indicates that relating to the geographical features of the shared river-water resolution is substantially affected by historic tensions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei Xie & Shaofeng Jia, 2017. "Diplomatic water cooperation: the case of Sino-India dispute over Brahmaputra," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(5), pages 677-694, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ieaple:v:17:y:2017:i:5:d:10.1007_s10784-016-9339-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10784-016-9339-4
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    2. Naho Mirumachi & Margot Hurlbert, 2022. "Reflecting on twenty years of international agreements concerning water governance: insights and key learning," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 317-332, June.

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