Challenging hydro-hegemony of India: resistance of Nepal in the Upper Karnali and Saptakoshi dam project

Abstract

AbstractThe hydropolitical interaction of Nepal and India can be well defined within the framework of hydro-hegemony. Two case studies of hydro-hegemony and counter-hegemony are illustrated in this paper, unleashing the approach of resistance from the vantage point of Nepal: Upper Karnali and Saptakoshi high dam. Both case studies share a common norm that Nepal, as a small state, has been providing access to the Indian hydro-hegemony, which has compelled it to slowly cede its rights from its water resources. As such, in a historical manner, Nepal is not only losing the opportunity of capitalising on its water resources, but also fixing itself in a vulnerable position in terms of the water securitisation. However, for the two projects lying entirely within the (political) territory of Nepal, the state-level resistance is still feasible to deter and deflect the unintended detrimental effect on Nepal.