Abstract
This research note synthesizes key literature from 2021 to 2025 on the multifaceted dimensions of water security in the Brahmaputra River Basin (BRB), a transboundary system shared by China, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. The analysis explores geopolitical tensions, especially China’s upstream hydropower developments, and their implications for regional stability and downstream water availability. Climate-induced flooding, glacial melt, and sediment disruption have heightened vulnerabilities for millions living along the river, particularly in Assam and Bangladesh. The review identifies major governance deficits, including the absence of binding water-sharing treaties, fragmented institutional capacities, and limited data transparency. It also highlights the potential of integrated basin management, community-led adaptation, and cooperative diplomacy to enhance long-term resilience. The note concludes with strategic recommendations for data-driven, participatory, and climate-responsive frameworks to ensure sustainable and equitable water governance in the BRB.
