As the ultimate resource, the impact of water on public health, energy, agriculture, urbanization, infrastructure, manufacturing and human development is pervasive, making water resource management vital to the country's future. But we have failed to pay it strategic attention. In an increasingly warming world, water may yet become India's weakest link. The issues at hand are complicated, from the need for equity between the agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors and the impact of unsustainable water management to increased urbanization and climate change.