For all of human history, water has been one of the most vital and widely used resources. From early settlers along rivers to great ancient civilisations such as the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and the Incas, all flourished by establishing themselves near water bodies. Thus, it is no surprise that water and rivers continue to play a crucial role in fostering relations and advancing diplomacy in the 21st century. Under the leadership of Narendra Modi, India has recognised this reality with unprecedented acuity, transforming water management from a domestic challenge into a sophisticated instrument of foreign policy, deftly balancing the looming threat of scarcity with the urgent need for regional stability.

PM Modi’s approach is not born from abundance, but rather from a stark recognition of India’s precarious water future. A nation housing 17 per cent of the world’s population, yet possessing a mere 4 per cent of its freshwater reserves faces an undeniable crisis. This inherent scarcity, compounded by inefficient historical water management, has driven a paradigm shift.

No longer is water merely a developmental concern; it is now a strategic asset, wielded with deliberate intent on the international stage. This represents a marked departure from previous, perhaps more passive, approaches to transboundary water issues.

Modi’s vision is proactive, not reactive; it views water not as a source of conflict waiting to erupt, but as a conduit for cooperation, and when necessary, a lever for assertive diplomacy. This is a government that understands that in a water-stressed world, control over this resource translates to tangible geopolitical power.

For decades, India’s approach to transboundary water resources, particularly in relation to its neighbours, was largely reactive, often hindered by legalistic interpretations and bureaucratic inertia. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, while lauded for its longevity, exemplifies this. Though designed to ensure equitable water sharing, its rigid framework—conceived in a vastly different geopolitical era—has struggled to adapt to contemporary challenges. Modi’s arrival marked a decisive break from this inertia. He recognised water’s strategic value, understanding that in a water-stressed region, control and judicious allocation of this vital resource could be a........

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