Climate Diplomacy In Indo-Pak Relations

Abstract

The non-traditional threats posed by climate change to India and Pakistan are projected to be far greater than traditional threats in the near future. India is ranked as the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change, while Pakistan is ranked as the seventh most vulnerable. With sea levels expected to rise by 15-38 centimeters in India by 2050, major cities such as Kochi, Kolkata, and Mumbai are at risk. By 2030, over 40% of Indians may not have access to safe drinking water. The severe consequences of climate change will have long-lasting effects not only on India and Pakistan but also on the entire South Asian region. Between 1990 and 2008, over 750 million people, nearly 50% of South Asia's population, were affected by disasters, leading to nearly 230,000 deaths. India and Pakistan bear a greater responsibility to engage in climate diplomacy to protect this critical region from the anticipated dangers of climate change. Therefore, this paper will explore the effects of climate change on India and Pakistan and examine how climate diplomacy can be an opportunity for both nations to abandon their traditional hostility and initiate a new era of cooperation to address the impending threats of climate change.