Decoding Narendra Modi’s hydro-diplomacy in the Brahmaputra River basin

Abstract

In the face of the recurring Indo-Chinese hydro-diplomatic conundrum over the Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra, Narendra Modi’s contributions have been minimal, mainly echoing the cooperative ventures of the previous leadership. This viewpoint analyses the reasons behind India’s apparent indifference to potential Chinese hydrological ‘threats’. It highlights how New Delhi’s self-satisfied and reluctant diplomatic stance towards Beijing’s absolute sovereignty claims accentuates the multitude of India’s interests in the Brahmaputra River basin. It argues that currently, neither conflict nor further cooperation between China and India is likely in the Brahmaputra River basin.