The Indus Waters Treaty: History, Impacts, and India's Recent Suspension

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The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a historic water-sharing agreement signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank. It is often regarded as one of the most successful water treaties in the world, having survived multiple wars and political tensions between the two nations. However, recent geopolitical developments have led India to suspend its participation in the treaty, triggering debate and reflection on its fairness and implications, especially for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Background of the Indus Waters Treaty

The Indus River system comprises six major rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. These rivers originate in India and flow into Pakistan, making them crucial for both countries. The treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, was aimed at the peaceful sharing of this vital water resource.

Key Provisions:

  • India was given full rights to the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.

  • Pakistan received control over the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

  • India retained limited usage rights on the western rivers for non-consumptive purposes like hydropower generation, irrigation, and navigation.

  • A Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was set up to handle routine issues, information exchange, and conflict resolution.

Benefits of the Treaty for Pakistan

Pakistan has reaped several major benefits from the Indus Waters Treaty:

1. Water Security

  • The treaty grants Pakistan nearly 80% of the Indus river system’s total flow, securing its agricultural backbone, especially in Punjab and Sindh provinces.

2. Hydropower Generation

  • The western rivers provided Pakistan with the flow needed to construct large-scale dams like Tarbela and Mangla, which are central to its electricity and irrigation systems.

3. Legal and Diplomatic Shield

  • The IWT offered Pakistan legal safeguards against any abrupt stoppage of river flows from India, acting as a buffer during times of military and political conflict.

Demerits of the Treaty for India

Despite being the upper riparian country, India faces several drawbacks under the IWT:

1. Major Water Allocation to Pakistan

  • India gets access to only 20% of the water from the Indus system, despite hosting the headwaters of all six rivers.

2. Restricted Use of Western Rivers

  • India faces strict limitations on storage and usage of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, which flow through Jammu and Kashmir, hindering local hydropower and irrigation development.

3. Delayed Projects Due to Objections

  • Pakistani objections to Indian projects have led to years of international arbitration, delaying infrastructure projects like Baglihar, Kishanganga, and Ratle.

4. Underutilization of Eastern Rivers

  • India still fails to fully utilize its share from the eastern rivers, allowing unclaimed water to flow into Pakistan, especially due to inadequate storage and canal infrastructure.

5. Strategic Disadvantage

  • Even during wars and terrorist attacks originating from Pakistan, India has continued honoring the treaty, limiting its strategic leverage in times of conflict.

6. Stunted Development in Jammu and Kashmir

  • The treaty has limited development opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir, where hydropower and agricultural potential remain vastly untapped due to treaty constraints.

India’s Suspension of the Treaty (April 2025)

In April 2025, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 civilians, and injured more than 20 others. India accused Pakistan-based terrorist groups of carrying out the attack and held the Pakistani establishment accountable for fostering cross-border terrorism.

Actions Taken by India:

  • Suspension of the IWT until credible action is taken by Pakistan against terrorism.

  • Closure of the Wagah-Attari border for trade and passenger transit.

  • Diplomatic downgrades including the expulsion of Pakistani officials.

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri officially communicated that the treaty would remain suspended unless Pakistan demonstrates "verifiable and irreversible" actions against terrorism.

Potential Benefits for the People of Jammu and Kashmir

The suspension of the treaty, though a geopolitical response, could bring multiple long-awaited advantages to Jammu and Kashmir:

1. Better Water Resource Utilization

  • India may now build storage and irrigation infrastructure across the western rivers, allowing Jammu and Kashmir to irrigate more farmland and improve crop productivity.

2. Hydropower Development

  • Suspension allows India to proceed with previously restricted hydroelectric projects. This could generate local employment, boost clean energy, and reduce power shortages in the state.

3. Economic Upliftment

  • Greater control over its own water resources can lead to rural transformation through increased irrigation and small-scale industries that rely on water and power.

4. Strategic and Emotional Empowerment

  • For many residents of the region, the treaty’s restrictions were seen as a symbol of injustice. The suspension sends a strong signal of national assertion and fairness.

Conclusion

The Indus Waters Treaty, though once celebrated as a symbol of diplomacy, has long been a source of imbalance, with India shouldering significant limitations for the sake of regional peace. The recent suspension reflects a change in India’s stance, one that prioritizes national security, sovereignty, and local development, especially for regions like Jammu and Kashmir, which have been directly impacted by the treaty’s constraints.

Going forward, whether the treaty is revised, renegotiated, or permanently revoked will depend on future diplomacy, security conditions, and the global community’s response. However, what is clear is that India is now ready to reclaim its rightful control over its water resources.

Location: India

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