India and Pakistan have been fighting over Kashmir, a contested region that is claimed by both the countries. Competition over waterways and dependence over water assets of Kashmir remains a bone of contention between India and Pakistan. This Research paper discusses the dependence of India and Pakistan over water sources originating from Kashmir. Kashmir, besides emotional attachment also has strategic, economic and political benefits for India and Pakistan. In the twenty first century, traditional concepts of state security have been changed. We have moved from traditional security aspects to non-traditional security aspects. Water is included in one of the non-traditional security aspects. India having all cards in hands is showing its’ hegemonic by choking the loose points of Pakistan. Though Indus Water treaty was signed in 1960’s to resolve the water issues between the two countries, but still we have not found any direct solution that will resolve the water crisis and provide permanent peace in the region. There is no way forward which will provide a win win situation for India, Pakistan and Kashmir in Indus water treaty. The researcher accounted that Indus Water Treaty has proved successful as far as its’ theoretical approach is concerned, but has failed in implementation and practicality. The researcher has used Hourglass model to analyze the Indus Water Treaty and to suggest the way forward that will lead towards a conflict resolution. Mixed methods have been used in the research from secondary sources to analyze water dependence. The research also seeks to analyze Indus water treaty and to explore the prospects for equal division of water resources. The subject matter of the research is Indo-Pak water dependency over water of Kashmir with a focus on how it will contribute towards the socio-economic status of India and Pakistan in the region and also how much dependence on water would affect the regional peace and stability in Kashmir conflict. Keywords: Conflict resolution, Hourglass glass model, Kashmir conflict, India-Pakistan water dependency, Indus water Treaty, Composite Dialogue process.
INDO-PAK HYDROPOLITICS: IMPLICATIONS FOR DISPUTED JAMMU AND KASHMIR
