The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed on September 19, 1960, is a landmark water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank. It governs the use and distribution of the waters from the Indus River system, which includes six major rivers: the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
Background &
Reason for Signing
Following the partition of British
India in 1947, both nations inherited a shared river system. Tensions
escalated in 1948 when India temporarily halted water flow to Pakistan,
highlighting the urgent need for a formal agreement to prevent future conflicts
over water resources. After nearly a decade of negotiations, the IWT was
established to ensure equitable water distribution and to foster cooperation
between the two countries.
Key
Provisions of the Treaty
§ Water
Allocation:
·
India received exclusive rights over
the three eastern rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
·
Pakistan was granted control over the
three western rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
·
This allocation meant that
approximately 80% of the total water flow was allocated to Pakistan, with India
receiving the remaining 20%.
§ Usage
Rights:
·
India is permitted limited use of the
western rivers for non-consumptive purposes, such as hydropower generation,
navigation, and limited irrigation.
§ Permanent
Indus Commission (PIC):
·
A bilateral commission was established,
comprising representatives from both countries, to oversee the implementation
of the treaty, facilitate data exchange, and resolve disputes.
Dispute Resolution
Mechanism:
·
The treaty provides a structured
process for resolving disagreements, including provisions for neutral expert
assessment and arbitration.
Benefits to India
·
Exclusive Rights:
Full control over the
eastern rivers allowed India to develop extensive irrigation and hydroelectric
projects, such as the Bhakra-Nangal and Pong dams.
·
Hydropower
Development:
The treaty permits
India to construct run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects on the western
rivers, enabling energy generation without significant water storage.
·
Diplomatic Leverage:
The IWT has served as
a diplomatic tool, allowing India to showcase its commitment to international
agreements, even amidst broader geopolitical tensions.
Benefits
to Pakistan
·
Water Security:
Control over the
majority of the river system ensures a stable water supply for Pakistan's
agriculture, which is the backbone of its economy.
·
International
Support:
The World Bank's
involvement provided Pakistan with financial and technical assistance to
develop infrastructure, such as the Tarbela and Mangla dams.
·
Conflict Avoidance:
The treaty has helped
prevent water-related conflicts, even during periods of heightened military
tensions between the two nations.
Who Benefited More?
While Pakistan
received a larger share of the water resources, India gained the ability to
fully utilize the eastern rivers and develop hydroelectric projects on the
western rivers. The treaty has been mutually beneficial, providing Pakistan
with water security and India with developmental opportunities.
Recent Developments
On April 23, 2025,
following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that resulted in 26 fatalities, India
announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, citing national security
concerns. This marks a significant shift in the historically resilient
agreement, which had withstood multiple conflicts over the decades. The
suspension has raised concerns about regional water security and the future of
India-Pakistan relations.
Conclusion
The Indus Waters
Treaty stands as a testament to the possibility of cooperation over shared
natural resources, even between adversarial nations. Its suspension underscores
the fragility of such agreements in the face of escalating geopolitical
tensions. The future of the treaty will depend on diplomatic engagements and
the broader context of India-Pakistan relations.
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