What Has Nepal Learned from Unequal Water Treaties with India?

抄録

By analyzing the unequal water treaties signed between Nepal and India from 1920 to 1996, the paper critically analyzes if it is possible for Nepal to sign an ‘equal’ water treaty with India. Furthermore, the research draws on the lessons learned by Nepal from its past experiences to optimize the benefits of utilizing its trans-boundary water resources. By using the hydro-hegemony framework, the researchers argue that power is the prime determinant which leads downstream India to enjoy more water resource benefits in comparison to upper riparian Nepal. Against the backdrop of extreme power asymmetry, Nepal cannot sign equal water treaties with hydro-hegemon India, as political power is the most significant factor determining the control of land and resources. As a weaker riparian, the most significant objective for Nepal will be to increase its bargaining power against its larger neighbor to gain a fair share of benefits. This can be done in the following five ways: i) adopting a long- term national water policy explicitly for India, ii) involving a third party (another riparian in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region) during negotiations, iii) changing Nepalese politicians’ attitudes toward India, iv) involving the private sector for more economic gains, and v) inviting international water hub or community members for trans-boundary water resource management. Trans-boundary water resource management is important to both co-riparians. Harnessing trans-boundary water resources can provide economic gains to Nepal, mostly through the construction of hydro-power projects. Similarly, the materialization of such a mechanism can help India not only to address perennial problems such as flood control and irrigation, but also to meet the energy needs of adjacent states. However, impeding the utilization of these resources prevents both countries from making any productive gains. Therefore, by realizing the importance of trans-boundary water, Nepal can cooperate with India to design jointly operated projects after the necessary preparation is done.