India and Pakistan have been engaged in a bitter feud over Kashmir since 1947.
What makes Jammu and Kashmir so important are its vast natural resources i.e. water.
In Pakistan, women and children walk miles every day to scout for water even in the nations financial capital, Karachi.
The latest dispute between India and Pakistan is over hydroelectric projects which India is building along the Chenab River that Islamabad claims violate the Indus Water Treaty.
“The prospect of two nuclear-armed rivals becoming embroiled in escalating tensions over water is disturbing and poses severe implications for security in South Asia, according to experts.
Imran Khan’s government has attempted to mend relations with India, but New Delhi has been circumspect and unwilling to negotiate unless terror activities are not completely halted.
Still, all sides see the long-term risks of conflict over water: Khan himself is attempting to raise $17 billion via the world’s largest crowd-fund for the construction of two large dams, one of which would be built in the disputed territory of Kashmir.
“We need to give it a lot of attention.” The most serious threat to the water agreement of late followed a terrorist attack on an Indian army camp in September 2016, when Modi stated that “blood and water and cannot flow together” and vowed to review the treaty.
Pakistan, India and Afghanistan are among the world’s eight most water-stressed countries.
Water scarcity has led to regular protests in cities from Shimla in India to Lahore in Pakistan.