Bangladesh and India: The Domestic and International Repercussions of Asymmetric and Securitized Hydro-politics

Authors

Tamanna Ashraf, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

International Relations

First Advisor's Name

Shlomi Dinar

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee co-chair

Second Advisor's Name

Mohiaddin Mesbahi

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee co-chair

Third Advisor's Name

Susanne Zwingel

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Pallab Mozumder

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Keywords

India, Bangladesh, hydro-politics, securitization, water security, hydro-hegemony, South Asia

Date of Defense

3-11-2020

Abstract

India, the second-most populous country in the world, is experiencing the worst water crisis in its history, and by 2030, 40% of Indians will lack access to drinking water. Equally concerning is Bangladesh’s situation, with 2.5 million people experiencing water shortage due to increased salinity. Both India and Bangladesh share 54 transboundary rivers in the larger Ganges Brahmaputra and Meghna (GBM) basin. Even though the two nations have signed multiple treaties on the Ganges River, disputes still take place over the Ganges and other transboundary rivers. Since this region of the world is facing an increasing population and water demand, considering the factors that facilitate or stifle cooperation on water sharing is very important. The dissertation argues that domestic politics in India and Bangladesh influence international negotiation and shape cooperation and conflict over shared rivers like the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Barak, Atrai, and Feni. Power dynamics and the framing of water as a national security issue by both nations likewise shape India-Bangladesh water relations. This dissertation also considers China’s role in the GBM basin, as another critical riparian and its role in shaping present-day hydro-political ties between the two countries.

Identifier

FIDC008909

Recommended Citation

Ashraf, Tamanna, "Bangladesh and India: The Domestic and International Repercussions of Asymmetric and Securitized Hydro-politics" (2020). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4430.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4430