Timeless principle

There is a timeless moral tenet that has guided civilisations for centuries: ‘Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you’.

It is a simple yet profound principle that encourages fairness, foresight and mutual respect – particularly important in matters that transcend borders, such as transboundary water management.

In recent weeks, regional discourse has taken notice of the Madog Hydropower Project being developed in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Situated on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River – known downstream as the Brahmaputra – the project is part of a long-term strategy to increase clean energy production, boost local infrastructure, and enhance climate resilience.

The Madog Hydropower Station is located in Medog County, near the strategic Great Bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo. With an expected capacity of 60,000 megawatts, it is envisioned as one of the largest renewable energy projects in the region. In addition to energy generation, the dam will contribute to flood control, ecological management, and regional economic development. The project is entirely within sovereign territory and reflects a broader trend among nations to meet rising energy demands through non-carbon sources such as hydropower.

However, because rivers like the Yarlung Tsangpo flow across borders, such projects naturally draw attention downstream. India, as a lower riparian state on this river system, has expressed concerns over the potential long-term effects on water flow, ecology, and livelihoods in its northeastern region. These concerns are not uncommon in transboundary water contexts, where geography necessitates cooperation and confidence-building among neighbors.

What makes this moment especially poignant is its proximity to another major development earlier this year. In April 2025, following the Pahalgam incident, India announced the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

India’s decision, taken without consultation or third-party mediation, raised serious concerns not only in the region but also within the international legal community. Notably, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague has ruled decisively in favour of Pakistan, affirming that India cannot unilaterally suspend or obstruct an international treaty. The legal standing of the IWT as an international agreement backed by the World Bank further reinforces this position.

Against this backdrop, India’s apprehension regarding the Madog Hydropower Project invites a moment of introspection. The situation is not about blame or comparison. Rather, it highlights how interconnected and delicate water relations are in Asia. A country that holds upper riparian status in one basin can be a lower riparian in another.

Water, by its nature, is a connector. It reminds us that geography binds us more than it divides us. The flow of rivers across borders is both a natural and a diplomatic reality, one that requires cooperation, not confrontation.

In an era of climate change, rapid population growth, and rising environmental pressure, water security is becoming one of the most vital challenges facing Asia. Shared rivers demand shared stewardship. And in that spirit, decisions regarding such lifelines must be guided by principles that transcend short-term political motives.

The Madog project – like all large infrastructure efforts in transboundary basins – presents an opportunity for dialogue and data sharing. Similarly, revisiting decisions such as the unilateral suspension of the IWT and restoring it to its status prior to the unilateral suspension in accordance with international norms, can help rebuild trust and prevent future escalation.

Ultimately, the broader message is clear: decisions made in isolation rarely remain isolated in effect. In a world as interlinked as ours, every action has a consequence, and every precedent echoes.

As the region builds its future around rivers that cross frontiers, let it also anchor that future in a truth as old as civilisation itself: Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you.

The writer is a leading Pakistani industrialist. He can be reached at: fkdadabhoy@hotmail.com