Tsangpo-Brahmaputra: A Perception Study from Riparian Perspectives

Trans-boundary River water has been a constant source of contention since the ancient times. As worldwide water scarcity is an increasing trend, trans-boundary water issues have become more critical. The Yarlung Tsangpo-Brahmaputra is an important river that runs through China, India, and Bangladesh. Recently, it has been emerging as a great concern for India and Bangladesh. As a middle riparian country, India is concerned about the Chinese activities further upstream. On the other hand, Bangladesh is concerned about China’s and India’s upstream activities on the Yarlung Tsangpo-Brahmaputra, as it is the lowest riparian country. Each of the three countries has their own riparian perception and their own views to explain and justify their riparian activities and concerns. This paper will broadly analyze all three perspectives, their concerns, and anxieties, placing them in the context of their riparian location. It will also provide some suggestions based on the core principles of equitable and logical water sharing to deal with the present riparian tension and ensure basin-wide water management. All three riparian countries’ should accept the principle of equitable distribution of Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river water. A Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river basin commission or some kind of commission can be formed with the authority to ensure equitable distribution of water among the co-riparian countries, namely, Bangladesh, China, and India.