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Abstract In India, inter-state water sharing is more about allocating water amongst the co-basin states for various uses and less about protection of the river basin. The chapter argues that inter-state water sharing cannot be seen only as a legal and constitutional issue; there is a need to engage with geo-politics, history, ethno-linguistic identities, political economy and developmentalism, geographies and natural resources, including the emerging issues of climate change. Most of the established tribunals lack agreed upon principles and norms for water sharing, further fuelling the disputes. Further, most of the tribunal awards do not pay any serious attention to river protection. There is a need for an alternative approach based on agreed upon principles amongst the stakeholders along with nested institutions including multi-stakeholder platforms. The alternative approach is discussed through the case of the ongoing Mahanadi water dispute between Chhattisgarh and Odisha states.