India's Power Dominance In The Dynamics Of Transboundary Water Management Between India And Bangladesh
Keywords:
India, Bangladesh, Realism, Power, Transboundary watersAbstract
This study employs the theory of political realism and the concept of hydropolitics to analyze the dynamics of transboundary water regulation between India and Bangladesh, with a primary focus on two strategic rivers, the Ganges and the Teesta. These rivers not only significantly contribute to tensions between the two countries but also serve as crucial elements in fostering cooperation. India acts as a regional hegemon due to its geographical, military, and economic advantages, granting it structural superiority in controlling water resources on which Bangladesh heavily depends for survival. This approach reflects the characteristics of a hegemonic state as proposed by Mearsheimer, wherein the dominance over strategic resource supplies becomes a key instrument for maintaining regional dominance. Moreover, India's hegemony is not solely exercised through central government policies but is also reinforced by domestic dynamics in states such as West Bengal, further complicating bilateral negotiations, particularly in the Teesta River dispute. On the other hand, Bangladesh, as a downstream country, faces major challenges due to its dependency on water supplies from India. This dependency contributes to food insecurity, climate-induced migration, and economic instability. This study adopts a qualitative method with a historical case study approach, grounded in the theories of realism and hydropolitics. The findings indicate that transboundary water regulation is not merely a technical issue, but rather a contest of power involving political interests, power rivalry, and survival strategies of states within an anarchic international system.
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