Bhawna Prakash and Abhinav Subramaniam’s report, Navigating Waters: Shaping India’s Water Future Through a U.S. Strategic Partnership, published by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), argues that water security is a critical yet under-prioritized area in the U.S.-India bilateral partnership. The authors highlight that despite India’s rapid economic growth and rising urbanization, the country faces severe water stress due to its limited freshwater resources and increasing demand. The report contends that a deeper U.S.-India collaboration in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector could not only strengthen India’s water security but also create new market opportunities for U.S. companies.
The report underscores that India’s water and wastewater treatment market, valued at $11 billion in 2024, is expected to grow to over $18 billion by 2026, offering significant potential for U.S. firms specializing in water technologies. The authors argue that India’s growing urban population, projected to reach 900 million by 2050, will require large-scale investments in water infrastructure, making it a strategic area for bilateral cooperation. The report highlights that the U.S. government’s Global Water Strategy (GWS) and India’s national programs—such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission—offer complementary frameworks for collaboration.
From an Indian perspective, the report emphasizes that securing water resources is vital for economic stability and human security. With only 4% of the world’s freshwater supply but 18% of the global population, India faces chronic water stress exacerbated by climate change. The authors argue that partnering with the U.S. could enhance India’s access to advanced technologies, financing, and best practices in water management.
The report recommends several policy pathways for strengthening U.S.-India cooperation. In the short term, it proposes establishing a bilateral WASH strategic partnership, with a focus on technology transfer, capacity building, and infrastructure investments. It suggests creating a U.S.-India center of excellence on water to promote joint research, facilitate knowledge exchange, and support pilot projects on water efficiency and wastewater management.
In the medium- to long-term, the authors advocate for developing a collaborative development fund to promote water-related innovations and financing models. They also recommend exploring water-energy interdependencies, particularly given the growing demand from energy-intensive sectors such as AI, data centers, and green hydrogen. The report highlights that by fostering public-private partnerships and engaging with local governments, the U.S. and India could jointly tackle water challenges while unlocking new trade and investment opportunities.
Ultimately, the report argues that prioritizing water security in the U.S.-India strategic partnership would not only address India’s growing water needs but also expand U.S. economic influence in one of the world’s largest water markets.
