Water for Food: Legal and Environmental Dimensions of Agricultural Water Trade in South Asia
Keywords:
Water Trade Agreements, South Asia, Agriculture, Transboundary Water Resources, Irrigation
Abstract
This paper provides a comprehensive legal analysis of water trade agreements in South Asia, focusing on their challenges, opportunities, and future directions, particularly in relation to agriculture. South Asia, home to several transboundary rivers, has long faced complexities in managing shared water resources. The legal frameworks governing water trade between countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh often face disputes due to competing demands, political tensions, and climate variability. These agreements are critical for the region's agricultural sector, which relies heavily on consistent water supply for irrigation and food production. The study highlights the challenges arising from existing agreements, such as inadequate dispute resolution mechanisms, lack of environmental safeguards, and insufficient consideration of the agricultural impact. It also explores opportunities for improved regional cooperation, sustainable water resource management, and better alignment of water trade agreements with climate adaptation strategies. Further, the paper discusses the need for future reforms that address the changing needs of agriculture, as the region faces increased water scarcity due to climate change. The research emphasizes the importance of integrating legal, environmental, and agricultural perspectives to ensure that water trade agreements foster long-term sustainability and food security in South Asia.
References
Indus Waters Treaty, India-Pak., Sept. 19, 1960, 419 U.N.T.S. 126.
Treaty on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka, Bangl.-India, Dec. 12, 1996, 36 I.L.M. 519 (1997).
Supra Note 3
Supra Note 4
Mahakali Treaty, India-Nepal, Feb. 12, 1996, 36 I.L.M. 531 (1997).
Agreement Between His Majesty's Government of Nepal and the Government of India on the Koshi Project, Nepal-India, Apr. 25, 1954, 1954 U.N.T.S. No. 262.
No formal treaty exists; negotiations continue. Reference to pending status: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Joint Statement on Teesta River Sharing Discussions, available at https://mea.gov.in.
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Transboundary Water Management in the Brahmaputra Basin (2021), available at https://www.unescap.org.
Nishchal N. Pandey & Mahesh Raj Bhatta, Enhancing Nepal-Bangladesh Relations, ISAS Insights (Jan. 4,2023), available at https://www.isas.nus.edu.sg/papers/enhancing-nepal-bangladesh relations/#:~:text=In%20April%201976%2C%20the%20two,as%20banking%2C%20finance%20and%20insurance.
Tushaar Shah et al., Energy-Irrigation Nexus in South Asia: Improving Groundwater Conservation and Power Sector Viability (Revised 2d ed., Int’l Water Mgmt. Inst. 2004), ISBN: 92-9090-588-3, ISSN: 1026-0862.
Ownership Dynamics and ESG Commitment: An Empirical Analysis of the Indian Tourism Industry. (2024). AEIDA: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies , 1(1), 43-50. http://aeidajournal.org/index.php/AEIDA/article/view/5
Jay Narayan Vyas, The Sustainability of Irrigated Agriculture in India, 10 World Aff. 64 (2006).
Amanda Farthing, Irrigation and Water Management: Ensuring Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship, 6 J. Agric. 103 (2023).
Pritha Datta, Bhagirath Behera & Dil Bahadur Rahut, Climate Change and Indian Agriculture: A Systematic Review of Farmers’ Perception, Adaptation, and Transformation, 8 Envtl. Challenges 100543 (2022), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100543.
Mohammad Delpasand, Omid Bozorg-Haddad, Erfan Goharian & Hugo A. Loáiciga, Virtual Water Trade: Economic Development and Independence Through Optimal Allocation, 275 Agric. Water Mgmt. 108022 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.108022.
Sustainable Investing in India: The Moderating Role of Firm Size on Financial Performance. (2024). AEIDA: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies , 1(1), 35-42. http://aeidajournal.org/index.php/AEIDA/article/view/4
U. Surendran, P. Raja, M. Jayakumar & S. Rama Subramoniam, Use of Efficient Water Saving Techniques for Production of Rice in India Under Climate Change Scenario: A Critical Review, 309 J. Cleaner Prod. 127272 (2021), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127272.
Rahul M. Lad & Ravindra G. Jaybhaye, Water Politics in Pakistan: The Internal and External Dynamics, 27 Water Pol’y 40 (2025), https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2024.098.
Brindha Karthikeyan, International Virtual Water Flows from Agricultural and Livestock Products of India, 161 J. Cleaner Prod. (2017), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.005.
Indus Waters Treaty, India–Pak., Sept. 19, 1960, 419 U.N.T.S. 126.
Treaty Between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka, India–Bangl., Dec. 12, 1996.
Supra Note 7
Matthew McCartney, Caroline Sullivan & Mike Acreman, Ecosystem Impacts of Large Dams, Sch. Arts & Soc. Sci. Papers (2001).
Peter G. Cook et al., Sustainable Management of Groundwater Extraction: An Australian Perspective on Current Challenges, 44 J. Hydrology: Reg’l Stud. 101262 (2022), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101262.
Martin J. Luna Juncal, Pietro Masino, Edoardo Bertone & Rodney A. Stewart, Towards Nutrient Neutrality: A Review of Agricultural Runoff Mitigation Strategies and the Development of a Decision-Making Framework, 874 Science of the Total Environment 162408 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162408.
State of Karnataka v. State of Tamil Nadu, (1991) 1 SCC 600 (India).
The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Award, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India (2007).
The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) Award, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India (2013).
State of Andhra Pradesh v. State of Maharashtra, (1976) 2 SCC 751.
Punjab v. Haryana, AIR 2002 SC 1453.
Tom Tabler & Joseph Chibanga, Water Scarcity in Agriculture: The Greatest Threat to Global Food Security, Univ. of Tenn. Extension Publ’n W 1252 (2024), https://utia.tennessee.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/2024/07/W1252.pdf.
Sneha Kulkarni, Vinay Kumar, Vinayak Bhanage & Shirishkumar Gedam, Exploring the Association Between Changing Crop Types and Water Scarcity: A Case Study over West-Central India, 11 Climate, no. 5, May 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11050093.
Bekele Shiferaw, Addressing Groundwater Depletion: Lessons from India, the World’s Largest User of Groundwater, World Bank: IEG Blog (Aug. 23, 2021), https://ieg.worldbankgroup.org/blog/addressing-groundwater-depletion-lessons-india-worlds-largest-user-groundwater.
P.W. Gerbens-Leenes, M.M. Mekonnen & A.Y. Hoekstra, The Water Footprint of Poultry, Pork and Beef: A Comparative Study in Different Countries and Production Systems, 1–2 Water Resources & Industry 25 (2013), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wri.2013.03.001.
Joseph Omeiza Alao, A.Y. Bello, H.A. Lawal & D. Abdullahi, Assessment of Groundwater Challenge and the Sustainable Management Strategies, 2 Results in Earth Sciences 100049 (2024), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rines.2024.100049.
Treaty on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka, Bangl.-India, Dec. 12, 1996, 36 I.L.M. 519 (1997).
Supra Note 3
Supra Note 4
Mahakali Treaty, India-Nepal, Feb. 12, 1996, 36 I.L.M. 531 (1997).
Agreement Between His Majesty's Government of Nepal and the Government of India on the Koshi Project, Nepal-India, Apr. 25, 1954, 1954 U.N.T.S. No. 262.
No formal treaty exists; negotiations continue. Reference to pending status: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Joint Statement on Teesta River Sharing Discussions, available at https://mea.gov.in.
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Transboundary Water Management in the Brahmaputra Basin (2021), available at https://www.unescap.org.
Nishchal N. Pandey & Mahesh Raj Bhatta, Enhancing Nepal-Bangladesh Relations, ISAS Insights (Jan. 4,2023), available at https://www.isas.nus.edu.sg/papers/enhancing-nepal-bangladesh relations/#:~:text=In%20April%201976%2C%20the%20two,as%20banking%2C%20finance%20and%20insurance.
Tushaar Shah et al., Energy-Irrigation Nexus in South Asia: Improving Groundwater Conservation and Power Sector Viability (Revised 2d ed., Int’l Water Mgmt. Inst. 2004), ISBN: 92-9090-588-3, ISSN: 1026-0862.
Ownership Dynamics and ESG Commitment: An Empirical Analysis of the Indian Tourism Industry. (2024). AEIDA: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies , 1(1), 43-50. http://aeidajournal.org/index.php/AEIDA/article/view/5
Jay Narayan Vyas, The Sustainability of Irrigated Agriculture in India, 10 World Aff. 64 (2006).
Amanda Farthing, Irrigation and Water Management: Ensuring Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship, 6 J. Agric. 103 (2023).
Pritha Datta, Bhagirath Behera & Dil Bahadur Rahut, Climate Change and Indian Agriculture: A Systematic Review of Farmers’ Perception, Adaptation, and Transformation, 8 Envtl. Challenges 100543 (2022), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100543.
Mohammad Delpasand, Omid Bozorg-Haddad, Erfan Goharian & Hugo A. Loáiciga, Virtual Water Trade: Economic Development and Independence Through Optimal Allocation, 275 Agric. Water Mgmt. 108022 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.108022.
Sustainable Investing in India: The Moderating Role of Firm Size on Financial Performance. (2024). AEIDA: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies , 1(1), 35-42. http://aeidajournal.org/index.php/AEIDA/article/view/4
U. Surendran, P. Raja, M. Jayakumar & S. Rama Subramoniam, Use of Efficient Water Saving Techniques for Production of Rice in India Under Climate Change Scenario: A Critical Review, 309 J. Cleaner Prod. 127272 (2021), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127272.
Rahul M. Lad & Ravindra G. Jaybhaye, Water Politics in Pakistan: The Internal and External Dynamics, 27 Water Pol’y 40 (2025), https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2024.098.
Brindha Karthikeyan, International Virtual Water Flows from Agricultural and Livestock Products of India, 161 J. Cleaner Prod. (2017), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.005.
Indus Waters Treaty, India–Pak., Sept. 19, 1960, 419 U.N.T.S. 126.
Treaty Between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka, India–Bangl., Dec. 12, 1996.
Supra Note 7
Matthew McCartney, Caroline Sullivan & Mike Acreman, Ecosystem Impacts of Large Dams, Sch. Arts & Soc. Sci. Papers (2001).
Peter G. Cook et al., Sustainable Management of Groundwater Extraction: An Australian Perspective on Current Challenges, 44 J. Hydrology: Reg’l Stud. 101262 (2022), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101262.
Martin J. Luna Juncal, Pietro Masino, Edoardo Bertone & Rodney A. Stewart, Towards Nutrient Neutrality: A Review of Agricultural Runoff Mitigation Strategies and the Development of a Decision-Making Framework, 874 Science of the Total Environment 162408 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162408.
State of Karnataka v. State of Tamil Nadu, (1991) 1 SCC 600 (India).
The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Award, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India (2007).
The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) Award, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India (2013).
State of Andhra Pradesh v. State of Maharashtra, (1976) 2 SCC 751.
Punjab v. Haryana, AIR 2002 SC 1453.
Tom Tabler & Joseph Chibanga, Water Scarcity in Agriculture: The Greatest Threat to Global Food Security, Univ. of Tenn. Extension Publ’n W 1252 (2024), https://utia.tennessee.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/2024/07/W1252.pdf.
Sneha Kulkarni, Vinay Kumar, Vinayak Bhanage & Shirishkumar Gedam, Exploring the Association Between Changing Crop Types and Water Scarcity: A Case Study over West-Central India, 11 Climate, no. 5, May 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11050093.
Bekele Shiferaw, Addressing Groundwater Depletion: Lessons from India, the World’s Largest User of Groundwater, World Bank: IEG Blog (Aug. 23, 2021), https://ieg.worldbankgroup.org/blog/addressing-groundwater-depletion-lessons-india-worlds-largest-user-groundwater.
P.W. Gerbens-Leenes, M.M. Mekonnen & A.Y. Hoekstra, The Water Footprint of Poultry, Pork and Beef: A Comparative Study in Different Countries and Production Systems, 1–2 Water Resources & Industry 25 (2013), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wri.2013.03.001.
Joseph Omeiza Alao, A.Y. Bello, H.A. Lawal & D. Abdullahi, Assessment of Groundwater Challenge and the Sustainable Management Strategies, 2 Results in Earth Sciences 100049 (2024), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rines.2024.100049.
Published
2025-07-01
How to Cite
Tyagi, S., & Pandya, M. H. (2025). Water for Food: Legal and Environmental Dimensions of Agricultural Water Trade in South Asia. GLS Law Journal , 7(2), 12 - 22. https://doi.org/10.69974/glslawjournal.v7i2.184
Section
Articles
