Water Security is National Security: How India Can Leverage Water Security to Strengthen National Stability

Analysis

By Jayendra Singh

India has one of the richest, most conducive environments for biodiversity. It is supported by a natural network of distributed river systems, aquifers, and rain patterns which not only provide the strength for the ecosystems to thrive but also give human lives the security they need to propagate. Historically, water is the central tenet of civilizational security, from the Nile to the Indus River, water systems have given people the necessary stability to develop in a way which leads to more peace and proliferation of their culture. However, anthropogenic involvement in these systems has led to irreversible changes which now threaten the security of those depending on these water systems. In recent years, the geopolitics of water has raised several hairs, and countries are now concerned about a ‘water war’ in future. This article explores the importance of water security in India and argues that it must be prepared for such challenges, due to population growth, and rising geopolitical instability, and must minimize the impact on its economic and security frameworks.

Historical Significance of Water (Management) Systems in India

India has been intricately tied to its river systems for millennia, several empires were set up based on the positions and flows of the river systems. The Indus Valley, and the Ganga Civilizations, amongst others, thrived because of their proximity to fertile riverbanks. Water not only provides them with the necessary advantage over other groups but also builds relationships, fosters diplomacy through water sharing, as well as creates spiritual and national identity. However the more important development lies not in the proximity of the civilizations to the rivers, but rather the responsible and sophisticated management of those river systems. Cities like Dholavira, in the Indus Valley Civilization, constructed “sophisticated water management systems that included a series of reservoirs, step wells, and channels. The city was ringed with a series of large reservoirs, some of which were interconnected. These storage structures accounted for about 10% of the city's area. The ability to conserve every drop of water in the parched landscape speaks volumes about the engineering skills of the people of Dholavira”. This responsible use of water systems was not just a futile endeavour, but rather a strategy to maintain the stability of the cities, from which modern cities can learn a lot. 

The river Ganga for example, holds utmost sacredness in India’s national and cultural identity. The Kaveri River, also known as Dakshina Ganga (“Southern Ganga”) by devout Hindus, is revered in Tamil for its beauty and sanctity. Therefore, the connection with water security then becomes even more pertinent for nations like India which attach national and spiritual identity to these systems. The idea of protecting the ‘security’ of these systems, then translates into protecting the ‘nation’s identity’. But this issue goes further into economics, politics and science, and has implications for public health and security. 

The Importance of Water Security

Water security is a relatively broad concept which includes not just the conservation of water but also covers accessibility, politics, sustainable management, and distribution of water as well. “Security” in this sense becomes the protection of water-related activities, as well as the people who are accessing the water. Therefore, work done in the field of water security translates or trickles down to benefit not just the environment or the people, but the economy and security of a nation. Keeping the importance of water security in mind, we shall look into the ways India is specifically vulnerable to various security and economic issues caused by its insecurity.   United Nations defines Water Security in the following interdisciplinary manner. (figure 1)

Source: UN Water 

Current Challenges due to Water Security

India is currently a ‘water stressed’ country, according to various sources such as NITI Ayog report as well as OECD. On an average it was observed that about 57% of the households were water poor considering all the urban agglomerations. India currently is also on the path of exponential growth economically and in terms of population. Currently India’s major cities such as Chennai, Delhi, and Bangalore are struggling with water stress. Farmers are struggling to secure a consistent water supply disturbed by over consumption as well as climate change induced irrigation issues. 

India’s population growth, especially in urban hotspots is causing extreme water stress as people’s water consumption is growing. The demand supply disturbance will eventually lead to severe constraints on economic growth for the overall economy of dependent regions. Another issue endangering water security is the quality of water, which is caused by dumping or toxic waste into water bodies and absorption of toxic chemicals by water aquifers. Water quality also has severe impacts on the businesses, impacting the economy and key industries. However, I would like to point out that agriculture is not the only sector which is majorly being impacted by water insecurity. The connection between water insecurity and key industries deserves equal attention.

Impact of Water Security on Key Industries

Water quality affects some key industries a lot more than others, but they’re all equally important for national stability. Sugar mills in Maharashtra, which houses many sugar mills, have been affected by high levels of pollution in rivers like the Godavari, leading to reduced sugar yields. The cotton industry, which depends on good water quality for cultivation and processing, has been affected by water pollution due to industrial discharge in regions like Gujarat. The paper industry's water-intensive nature can lead to environmental issues if not managed responsibly, as seen in the state of Kerala. Water quality directly affects food safety, and contaminated water sources have caused foodborne diseases in India, highlighting the need for stringent water quality standards in the food industry. Power plants, which rely heavily on water for cooling and other processes, are particularly vulnerable to water scarcity, which can disrupt electricity generation

Figure 2: Source: Lowy Institute 

International Implications of Water Security

India's water security issues also have implications for its international diplomacy. The sharing of river waters with neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh has been a subject of diplomatic negotiations, affecting regional relations and peacebuilding efforts. The Indian government has been proactive in addressing these issues, but there is still room for improvement. The growing conflicts in the subcontinent are also leading to tense situations which can have severe impacts on populations of millions, and endanger national security in those regions. The transboundary river system including the Brahmaputra system is controlled by China (refer to figure 2), in the context of India’s current conflict with China could create drastic implications for India, by exploiting these sources of water and weaponization, especially the border regions which are already vulnerable to climate change. This aspect of water security must be considered while policies are being drafted. 

Another important issue which comes into question is data regarding water bodies, disasters and water flows. In the context of the recent floods in the northeast region of the nation, the importance of spatial, ethnographic and raw data on the impact becomes pertinent. Countries like China which have access to the data regarding river flows then have a strategic advantage, leaving people in India vulnerable to the effects of these disasters. 

Way Forward 

The Indian government has recognized the importance of water security. The National Water Policy, formulated in 2012, aims to ensure the optimal and sustainable utilization of water resources. Initiatives like the "Jal Shakti Abhiyan" focus on water conservation and management. Subsequent initiatives such as  “Jal Jeevan Mission” showcased success stories such as achieving the ‘har ghar jal’ (every home with water) goal, and the goal of 5.03 crore tap water connections since launch of the program, and many more; albeit still not enough for overall resilience building of many regions. Successful projects, such as the Sardar Sarovar Dam and river-linking projects, demonstrate the government's commitment to improving water management. However, India has a history of not properly securitizing issues related to environment or sustainability, and especially wrongly putting more pressure on the most vulnerable. I argue that securitization of water itself could change the pathway towards water security, as mentioned before, water wars and weaponization of water is possible and could create disastrous effects for the people. India must look to its successful and brilliant past is water maangement to fuel its future. Therefore, India’s future hinges on sustainable water management, and looking inwards through the rich history of sacredness and importance given to water bodies. Therefore, to quench India’s thirst for economic growth, we must ensure the water security of the country is not compromised.

Disclaimer: This paper is the author's individual scholastic contribution and does not necessarily reflect the organization's viewpoint.

Jayendra Singh is a Final year student at the Jindal School of International Affairs pursuing MA in Diplomacy, Law and Business. His research interests lie in the field of Global Environmental Governance, Green (IR), and caste studies.