DS-Pedia

The Indus Waters Treaty is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, signed on September 19, 1960, in Karachi, brokered by the World Bank. It governs the use of the Indus River system, which includes six rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. The treaty was established to resolve disputes over water resources after the 1947 partition, which left the rivers flowing through both nations, creating potential for conflict.

Key Provisions:

• Division of Rivers:
  • Western Rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab were allocated to Pakistan for unrestricted use, except for limited uses by India (e.g., domestic, non-consumptive, and restricted irrigation).
  • Eastern Rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej were allocated to India for unrestricted use.
  • India is allowed to use up to 20% of the Western Rivers’ water for irrigation, power generation, and other purposes, subject to specific restrictions.
• Permanent Indus Commission:
  • A bilateral commission was established to oversee implementation, monitor compliance, and resolve disputes through regular meetings and data exchange.
  • Commissioners from both countries meet annually to share data on water flows, projects, and issues.
• Dispute Resolution:
  • Disputes are addressed through a tiered mechanism: bilateral talks, neutral expert arbitration, or a Court of Arbitration (if unresolved).
  • The World Bank plays a limited role in facilitating dispute resolution but is not a party to the treaty.
• Infrastructure Development:
  • India can construct run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects on Western Rivers but must adhere to design and operational restrictions to avoid affecting Pakistan’s water supply.
  • Pakistan has the right to object to Indian projects if they violate treaty terms.

Historical Context:

• The Indus system originates in the Himalayas, with major rivers flowing through Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir before entering Pakistan, making upstream control a sensitive issue.
• Post-partition, water disputes escalated when India temporarily stopped water flows to Pakistan in 1948, prompting negotiations.
• After nine years of talks, the treaty was signed by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan, with the World Bank as a mediator.

Significance:

• The treaty is considered a rare success in India-Pakistan relations, surviving three wars (1965, 1971, 1999) and numerous tensions.
• It ensures predictable water allocation, critical for Pakistan’s agriculture (which relies heavily on the Indus system) and India’s hydropower and irrigation needs.
• The agreement is often cited as a model for transboundary water management.

Challenges and Disputes:

• Indian Hydropower Projects:
  • Pakistan has frequently objected to India’s dam and hydropower projects (e.g., Baglihar, Kishanganga, Ratle) on Western Rivers, arguing they reduce water flow or violate treaty terms.
  • Disputes over Baglihar (2005) and Kishanganga (2010) were resolved through neutral expert arbitration and the Court of Arbitration, respectively, largely in India’s favor.
  • Ongoing disputes, like the Ratle project, have led Pakistan to seek arbitration, while India prefers bilateral resolution.
• Geopolitical Tensions:
  • Political strains, such as the 2016 Uri attack, led India to threaten treaty abrogation, with statements about “reconsidering” water flows to Pakistan.
  • Pakistan views the treaty as a lifeline, given its dependence on the Indus for 80% of its irrigated agriculture, and fears upstream control by India.
• Climate Change and Water Scarcity:
  • Glacier melting, erratic monsoons, and reduced river flows due to climate change strain the treaty’s fixed allocations, which do not account for environmental changes.
  • Both nations face water scarcity, increasing competition and complicating compliance.
• Modernization Needs:
  • The treaty’s 1960 framework lacks provisions for climate adaptation, groundwater management, or joint environmental monitoring, prompting calls for updates.
  • India and Pakistan disagree on amending the treaty, with Pakistan wary of reopening negotiations.

Current Status (April 2025):

• Tensions persist over India’s hydropower projects, with Pakistan seeking World Bank mediation for projects like Ratle and Kishanganga.
• In 2023, the World Bank initiated parallel processes (neutral expert and Court of Arbitration) to address disputes, a move India criticized as inconsistent with the treaty’s sequential mechanism.
• India has emphasized its compliance with the treaty while asserting its right to maximize permissible uses, including accelerating project development in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Public and political rhetoric in both nations often politicizes the treaty, with calls in India to leverage water as a strategic tool and fears in Pakistan of water “weaponization.”

Conclusion:

The Indus Waters Treaty remains a critical framework for managing one of the world’s most vital river systems, balancing the needs of two adversarial nations. Despite its resilience, ongoing disputes, geopolitical mistrust, and environmental pressures challenge its effectiveness. Cooperation through the Permanent Indus Commission and adherence to dispute resolution mechanisms are essential to sustaining the treaty’s success, while both nations must address climate-related challenges to ensure long-term water security.