Tibet is a region located in the Himalayas which is known for its unique culture, history, and natural resources. It is home to some of the world’s most important freshwater resources like the Yellow, Yangtze, Mekong, Brahmaputra, Salween, and Sutlej river among others that originate from Tibet and flow into China and neighboring countries.
There is considerable political tension in the region over the management and distribution of water resources to India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Cambodia particularly due to China’s control over Tibet. According to the United Nation’s estimation, about half of the world’s population resides in the watersheds of rivers that originate from the Tibetan Plateau.
As a result, Tibet is crucial to the region’s water security, economic development, and geopolitical relations. The Plateau is referred to as the “Asian Water Tower” because its rivers supply water to over 2 billion people. The United States and its allies have remained interested in Tibet for years in order to weaken China. Therefore, this opinion piece aims to comprehend the geographical significance of Tibet and how the World Powers hinder China’s path to maintain supremacy and prevent it from becoming a superpower.
Tibet is a region of focus for the superpowers. It is rich in natural resources and serves as a water source not only for China but for other countries as well. Controlling Tibet holds vital significance as it lies between the world most populous countries, China and India, which are also major military and economic powers. Moreover, the presence of abundant water resources in Tibet further increases its importance for China.
The entire eastern zone of agricultural productivity in the country exists because of the water flowing from Tibet. It also supplies water to China’s two longest rivers, the Yellow and Yangtze. If China loses control over Tibet, it might have a tremendous impact on its economy, military, and potential power. Furthermore, half of China’s territory and inhabitants would be at grave risk, as the loss of Tibet could impact food security and access to natural resources. Not only that, but it could also have an impact on the surrounding territories.
Tibet is an integral part of China that borders India, the latter’s concerns related to it are complex and multifaceted that reflect broader geopolitical tensions between the two countries. The Indian authorities have long been interested in Tibet’s water resources, as 48% of the country’s water flows from Tibet through rivers like the Brahmaputra and Sutlej. China’s dominance over Tibet’s water resources has raised concerns in India, because its agriculture, industries, and domestic water usage relies greatly on it. Moreover, China’s infrastructure projects in Tibet have further aggravated Indians concerns.
China has built several dams and other infrastructure projects in Tibet, causing a reduction in water flow in downstream countries. Therefore, India is worried about the reduced water flow in its rivers that can completely barren large part of the country and result in forced relocation of people, which is certainly not acceptable for it in any case.
Moreover, India is also concerned about China’s increasing influence. It sees China as a political and security threat due to its foothold in the region, which is why India perceives Tibet as an adequate wall between the two countries.
Today, China is entangled in various fronts by hostile powers to prevent it from becoming a superpower, because a dominant China may create problems for major powers like the United States in the coming years. Therefore, the United States (US) along with its allies is making every possible effort to block China’s path to somehow thwart its rising power and maintain the American monopoly. On the contrary, US is tightening the screws on India, which is why the latter is using its Tibetan card to tangle and alienate China in order to appease the west. If India goes against the US on Tibet, it may lead to diminished support from the latter in combating separatist movements like Khalistan in Punjab and others in Assam and Tamil Nadu.
