Guwahati: The Brahmaputra River Basin, one of South Asia’s most significant transboundary water systems, has long been a stage for complex geopolitical maneuvers between China and India. Spanning Tibet, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, this vital river system supports millions of livelihoods and holds immense potential for hydropower, irrigation, and biodiversity conservation. Yet, the river also reflects a tense strategic rivalry, particularly between the Asian giants, China and India.
A recent paper published by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Cotton University, and Wageningen University applies game theory to unravel the dynamics shaping China-India relations over the Brahmaputra. The findings offer a new lens to understand the ebb and flow of cooperation and conflict between the two countries.
