Abstract
Water, a vital resource transcending geopolitical borders, significantly influences the socio-economic and ecological well-being of nations. With expanding global populations and climate change intensifying water scarcity, the importance of effective water diplomacy in averting conflicts and encouraging cooperation grows. This chapter explores water diplomacy as a tool for addressing intricate, boundary-crossing challenges, emphasizing its function in fostering collaboration, managing shared resources, and guaranteeing equitable and sustainable water governance. We introduce an enhanced water diplomacy framework that integrates complexity theory, contingency theory and negotiation theory, providing a holistic approach to water resource management. Moreover, we propose a devising seminar - an off-the-record, facilitated workshop gathering a diverse array of core stakeholders who ordinarily would not participate in face-to-face problem-solving due to political and institutional barriers - to overcome initial obstacles in resolving complex issues. Through the analysis of the Ganges river basin, this chapter seeks to inform policymakers, practitioners and researchers about the potential of efficient water diplomacy in promoting regional stability, nurturing international cooperation and ensuring long-lasting sustainable management of water resources.