Geopolitics of water securitisation in Central Asia

Over the years ensuring water securitisation in Central Asia is assuming geopolitical dimensions. Historical experiences, the rapid industrialisation and diversification of agricultural practices along with the pattern of water distribution in the Central Asian space rooted in historical trajectories to a greater extent are some of the factors contributing to the dynamics of water insecurity in Central Asia. It needs to be underlined here that though Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan constitute the upstream countries but their dependence on gas from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan to a greater extent limits the "hydro-hegemony" model. However, the same model can be applied in the context of China-Kazakhstan water dispute over sharing the river Ili. At the same time, what one witnessed over some time is the proliferation of identity-based primordial conflict largely accentuated due to sharing of scarce water resources. This is aptly visible in the Ferghana region of Central Asia where three Central Asian countries-Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-share a common border along with water bodies also. The existence of the contested geopolitical space, climate change, competition over scarce resources like water and its impact on human security are some of the factors responsible for aggravating the insecurity of Central Asia. In this regard, the existing regional mechanisms also need to be strengthened which to a substantial extent address the issue of the water crisis in a more holistic manner.