Asia 's current water crisis could worsen to severe water shortages by 2050 , found a study published by UNESCO . Accordingly , water is emerging as an " instrument of power in inter - state relations " , with control over countries ' shared freshwater emerging as a " key challenge " for long - term peace and stability in the region , according to economist Brahma Chellaney . China 's control of upstream dams could damage the economies of both South Asia and Central Asia which depend on freshwater and nutrient - rich silt .
Asia's current water crisis could worsen to severe water shortages by 2050, found a study published by MIT. Accordingly, water is emerging as an "instrument of power in inter-state relations", with competition over countries' shared freshwater emerging as a "key challenge" for long-term peace and stability in the region, according to commentator Brahma Chellaney. China's control of upstream dams could damage the economies of mainland Southeast Asia and Central Asia which depend on freshwater and nutrient-rich silt.