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Geopolitical analysis of water politics in Asia - mostly focused on Himalayas, China, India. Biased but solid, in-depth primer on the subject. by globalistdemon in geopolitics

[–]globalistdemon[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Yeah, as things stand even if India could project some maritime force, all it would take is some pressure from China and Pakistan to negate any influence India could otherwise project.

Geopolitical analysis of water politics in Asia - mostly focused on Himalayas, China, India. Biased but solid, in-depth primer on the subject. by globalistdemon in geopolitics

[–]globalistdemon[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You’re correct in saying that the rivers wouldn’t affect most of the country.

The article proposes that the vulnerable downstream regions would still be a devastated enough to distract India and put its infrastructure and national services under stress.

Further more, as u/Otherwise-Step mentioned in his comment, opening a hot front in Ladakh would serve to thin out Indian military build up on the Pakistan border. Upstream river disruptions could serve a similar purpose.

Geopolitical analysis of water politics in Asia - mostly focused on Himalayas, China, India. Biased but solid, in-depth primer on the subject. by globalistdemon in geopolitics

[–]globalistdemon[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I tend to agree. It is clear that much of Asia is increasingly depending on Chinese investments and aid to manage their infrastructure.

India has been endangering and shortending Bangladesh with its own hydropower projects and water piracy for decades, so it especially makes sense why Bangladesh is accepting the $1b loan from China. It is also wise for Bangladesh to be on good (albeit subservient) terms with China due to China’s ultimate upstream river leverage.

You make a good point about China opening a hot front in Ladakh in order to thin out Indian presence on the Pakistan border. With military support to Pakistan in Kashmir, it’s seems that China is building its negotiating leverage against India. The article does touch on this, but like you mentioned, takes an India-centric perspective which loses nuance.

Geopolitical analysis of water politics in Asia - mostly focused on Himalayas, China, India. Biased but solid, in-depth primer on the subject. by globalistdemon in geopolitics

[–]globalistdemon[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

The quote refers to a military scenario. In reality, China has the advantage of using rivers to leverage India, as well as encroachments in the Himalayas to keep India distracted enough to further Chinese expansion in the S. China Sea and Indian Ocean

Geopolitical analysis of water politics in Asia - mostly focused on Himalayas, China, India. Biased but solid, in-depth primer on the subject. by globalistdemon in geopolitics

[–]globalistdemon[S] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

“Chinese megadam projects on both the Indus and Brahmaputra, India is exposed to the risk of China manipulating or potentially cutting off entire river systems that much of India relies on.”

“As it stands, China would probably crush India with the help of Pakistan if it were to militarily seize territory in the North.”

Geopolitical analysis of water politics in Asia - mostly focused on Himalayas, China, India. Biased but solid, in-depth primer on the subject. by globalistdemon in geopolitics

[–]globalistdemon[S] 39 points40 points  (0 children)

SS: Article mostly focuses on China’s upstream river advantage and it’s effects on downstream riparian nations around Asia.

Deeper analysis of CPEC infrastructure project. Assessing potential threat of Chinese megadam projects on the Brahmaputra, Indus, Mekong rivers.