Selection of principles of transboundary water resources management in the Indian context based on multi-criteria evaluation

ABSTRACT India is endowed with several perennial rivers that traverse international boundaries. To facilitate cooperation and coordination over the management of these shared water resources, India has entered into multiple treaties and established information-sharing mechanisms with its neighbouring countries. Domestically, all river basins of the country are shared between two or more Indian states. Over the past century, various principles for water allocation have been adopted to address issues and challenges of transboundary rivers. Many of these principles have been embedded in the international treaties and conventions. Notably, the Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses (1997) and the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (1992) have provided foundational frameworks for transboundary water governance. Despite this progress, a scientific methodology tailored to the Indian context for selecting and prioritizing appropriate water allocation principles has not yet been developed. This study seeks to address this gap by formulating a comprehensive multi-criteria decision-making framework that holistically incorporates legal, social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The approach also includes expert input from leading professionals in the field through a dedicated questionnaire survey, ensuring a comprehensive methodology for transboundary water management in India.