This study presents the explanation of a natural phenomenon of water scarcity and its correlation with an inevitable
reality called conflict. Today, the distribution of water is constantly changing with globalization, change in
environment and factors such as global warming and population growth. This change and unequal distribution of
water, its limited accessibility to different nations and its ever increasing demand has introduced a natural and
relatively dormant crisis. Different regions of the world are facing the problem of water shortage resulting in inter
and intrastate conflict.
The study argues that conflicts are essentially due to scarcity of resources. It is due to water shortage that many
countries are unable to meet the increasing water demands of consistently growing population. The problem has
severely affected agricultural production and respective economies of those countries which extensively rely upon
agriculture. The gradual depletion of water resources has become a matter of serious apprehension especially for
water stressed regions. With the passage of time the utilization of water has increased and resulted in competitive
environment where states are striving to secure and enhance control over the depleting water resources. The
situation is worsening and giving birth to disputes over water sharing. The region of South Asia is also facing severe
water stress. The water resources of the region have been consistently depleting. South Asia is an agricultural region;
the states of this region largely rely upon rivers for irrigation of lands. Considering this fact that many rivers are
transboundary, the sharing of rivers has lead to several disputes among states. At the same time hydro politics and
exploitation of water has become a prevalent reality. India is determining to gradually enhance control over the
water resources of the region to maintain its hydro hegemony.
The country has been involved in prolonged water disputes with its neighboring countries. However, this study
specifically highlights India's prolonged water conflict with Pakistan which remains unresolved and significantly
explains the likely chances of an interstate conflict between the two neighboring countries which are nuclear powers
posing threat to regional stability. This study is essentially an attempt to employ the theory of environmental
scarcity and conflict to understand India-Pakistan conflict.