Will War Ensue from the Weaponization of Water?

A jihadist attack against mostly Indian tourists in Kashmir has precipitated a crisis that may see two nuclear-armed states go to war again. If that happens, it may be precipitated by the weaponization of water.

India holds Pakistan responsible for this act of terrorism and responded by suspending a treaty governing the Indus River’s waters. The Pakistanis say interfering with their access to such flows would amount to an act of war. 

Ironically, Pakistan’s patron and enabler, Communist China, initially denounced India’s water warfare. That’s particularly rich since the Chinese have diverted water from Tibet for years, creating drought conditions downstream in Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. 

Beijing is now threatening India’s access to river flows, as well. 

If shared use of transnational water sources in South Asia is not restored quickly, war – and perhaps a nuclear one – may well ensue.

This is Frank Gaffney.