South Asia faces immense challenges from rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and erratic monsoons.
Climate security is not just a national concern -- it’s a regional imperative, particularly for South Asia, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions. With its densely populated countries, shared ecosystems, and interconnected economies, the region faces immense challenges from rising sea levels, melting glaciers, erratic monsoons, and extreme weather events. Addressing climate security in South Asia requires a united, cooperative approach that transcends political differences and leverages the shared interests of its nations.
South Asia is home to diverse yet interdependent ecosystems, from the Himalayan glaciers feeding major rivers to coastal mangroves acting as natural barriers against cyclones. Climate-induced disruptions to these systems affect everyone in the region. For instance, melting Himalayan glaciers threaten water security in India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Rising sea levels endanger millions in coastal areas, from Bangladesh's low-lying deltas to the Maldives’ very existence. And yet, despite the shared risks, political tensions have often impeded collaborative efforts.
To overcome these differences, South Asian nations must recognise that climate security is a shared survival issue. Platforms like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) can be revitalised as vehicles for dialogue and coordinated action. By depoliticising climate discussions and focusing on mutual benefits, countries can foster trust and cooperation. Initiatives like joint disaster response mechanisms, knowledge-sharing networks, and cross-border water management frameworks can serve as starting points for collaboration.
Regional cooperation can also unlock collective solutions to shared challenges. For example, South Asian countries could jointly invest in renewable energy projects, such as transnational solar grids or hydropower plants, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and addressing energy security. Collaborative efforts to restore ecosystems, like the Sundarbans mangroves shared by India and Bangladesh, can enhance resilience to climate impacts while fostering goodwill.
India, as the region's largest economy, can play a leadership role in promoting climate cooperation. By providing technological and financial support to its neighbors, India can position itself as a stabilising force and a partner in resilience-building. For example, India's solar initiatives under the International Solar Alliance can be expanded to include South Asian countries. Similarly, India can lead by example, demonstrating the benefits of integrating climate action with sustainable development goals.
While challenges like political mistrust and resource conflicts cannot be ignored, they must not deter progress on climate security. The stakes are too high for inaction. A shared commitment to addressing climate risks can create a foundation for broader regional cooperation, improving not only environmental resilience but also economic and social stability.
In a region as interconnected as South Asia, climate security is not just a policy objective—it’s a necessity for survival. By setting aside political differences and embracing a shared vision for the future, South Asian nations can turn the climate crisis into an opportunity for unity and collective progress. The time to act is now, for the cost of delay is far greater than any compromise.
