Indus Water Treaty Controversy

What is the Indus Water Treaty?
The Indus Water Treaty is a historic agreement signed between India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960, in Karachi, facilitated by the World Bank. It was signed by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan. Under this treaty, the six rivers of the Indus river system—Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—were divided into two groups. The eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) were allocated to India, and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan. This treaty is considered one of the most enduring and peaceful water agreements in the world, maintaining stable water-sharing arrangements between the two nations for decades.

How does the treaty work?
According to the treaty, India has full rights over the eastern rivers, while it is allowed limited use of the western rivers for purposes such as irrigation, domestic use, and run-of-the-river hydropower projects, without altering the flow. A Permanent Indus Commission was established to oversee the treaty’s implementation, comprising water commissioners from both countries. They hold annual meetings and exchange hydrological data. In case of a dispute, bilateral discussions are held first. If the issue remains unresolved, it can be referred to a neutral expert or taken to international arbitration. This mechanism ensures transparency and provides a structured system for monitoring and resolving disputes.

What is the dispute related to the treaty?
In recent years, disputes over the treaty escalated when India initiated hydropower projects like Kishanganga and Ratle in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan claims these projects violate the treaty as they may affect the flow of western rivers, which are reserved for Pakistan. India maintains that these projects comply with the treaty and do not obstruct water flow. In July 2023, the World Bank decided to restart the arbitration process at Pakistan’s request. This dispute highlights that water sharing remains a sensitive and strategic issue between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, despite decades of treaty-backed cooperation.