"The Indus Waters Treaty: How India and Pakistan Share the Indus River's Flow"

Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, is one of the world’s most important water-sharing agreements. It governs the use of water from the Indus River System, which includes six major rivers that flow through both countries.

Here is a more detailed explanation of the treaty and its significance:

1. Background and Purpose

• Signed: The IWT was signed on September 19, 1960 between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank.

• Goal: The treaty aimed to resolve disputes over water sharing between India and Pakistan, ensuring that both countries would have equitable access to water while preventing potential conflicts over this shared resource.
• Indus River System: The river system comprises six major rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. These rivers are critical for agriculture, power generation, and drinking water for millions of people in both countries.

2. Water Allocation Under the Treaty

The treaty divides the waters of the Indus River System into two main categories:

Eastern Rivers (Allocated to India)

• Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej: India has full control over these three rivers, meaning India is free to use their waters for irrigation, drinking, and hydropower.
• Water Share: These rivers have a combined total annual flow of approximately 33 MAF (Million Acre Feet) of water.

Western Rivers (Allocated to Pakistan)

• Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab: Pakistan has exclusive rights to the waters of these three rivers, which are vital for its agriculture and water supply.
• Water Share: These rivers have a combined total annual flow of approximately 135 MAF of water, representing about 80% of Pakistan’s water resources.

3. Hydropower and Water Use

• India’s Rights: While India can use the waters of the western rivers for hydropower generation, it must ensure that these uses do not affect Pakistan’s water supply.
• Pakistan’s Rights: Pakistan has the right to use the waters of the western rivers for all purposes, including agriculture, industry, and domestic needs. However, India’s ability to build hydropower projects on these rivers is also regulated by the treaty.
• Hydropower Projects:
• India has developed hydropower plants on the eastern rivers and has built some on the western rivers (like the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River) with restrictions.
• Pakistan has often raised concerns that India’s hydropower projects on the western rivers could reduce the flow of water, which impacts their agricultural production. However, these projects must adhere to guidelines set by the treaty, which were designed to ensure that Pakistan’s water needs are not harmed.

4. Permanent Indus Commission

• The treaty established the Permanent Indus Commission, a bilateral body to oversee the implementation of the treaty and resolve disputes.
• Composed of representatives from both India and Pakistan, the commission meets regularly to discuss any concerns related to water use, hydropower projects, or water flow.
• It acts as a platform for dialogue, where both nations can present their issues and try to come to an agreement without escalating the situation.

5. Dispute Resolution Mechanism

• The treaty includes a dispute resolution process that has been instrumental in managing conflicts over water use.
• Consultation: If there is a disagreement, both countries first try to resolve it through discussions at the Indus Commission level.
• Neutral Experts: If issues are not resolved, neutral experts can be appointed to assess the situation and make recommendations.
• Court of Arbitration: In cases where disputes are not settled through talks or experts, the issue can be taken to the Court of Arbitration for a final ruling.

6. Strategic Importance of the IWT

• For Pakistan: Pakistan heavily relies on the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) for its agriculture, which forms the backbone of its economy. The Indus River Basin is the source of most of the country’s irrigation, and about 90% of its food production depends on the waters from these rivers. If these water supplies were interrupted, Pakistan could face significant food and water security challenges.
• For India: India uses the eastern rivers for irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower generation. These rivers provide India with a major part of its agricultural water needs. Additionally, India has the right to develop hydropower projects on the western rivers, which provides potential economic benefits through energy generation.

7. Key Challenges and Tensions

Over time, the IWT has faced several challenges, particularly during times of political conflict between India and Pakistan. Some key issues include:

• Water Disputes: Pakistan has raised concerns over India's construction of hydropower dams on the western rivers (such as the Baglihar Dam), claiming that they could reduce water flow into Pakistan.
• Security Concerns: Pakistan has sometimes accused India of manipulating water flow, particularly in times of military tensions, which escalates the risk of conflict.
• Climate Change: Both countries face the effects of climate change, which impacts the flow of water in the rivers, leading to increased stress on the shared water resources.

8. Recent Developments and Changes

• In recent years, the treaty has come under scrutiny and faces challenges, especially after incidents like the Pahalgam Terror Attack (2025), where India suspended its cooperation under the treaty as part of a broader diplomatic response.
• India’s Control: India has more control over the eastern rivers, with infrastructure in place to use almost all of its allocated water, while Pakistan depends heavily on the western rivers. If India were to restrict water flow from these rivers, it could have a severe impact on Pakistan's water security.

9. Future of the IWT

• Global and Regional Pressures: The treaty faces growing challenges from climate change, population growth, and geopolitical tensions.
• Some experts believe the treaty may need to be revised to address these challenges and ensure sustainable water use for both countries.
• Given the strategic importance of water in South Asia, the future of the IWT will require continued diplomatic engagement between India and Pakistan to manage water resources effectively and peacefully.

Conclusion

The Indus Waters Treaty is one of the most important international agreements between India and Pakistan and plays a key role in preventing water conflicts between the two countries. It has survived through decades of tension and conflict but faces new challenges today, particularly due to environmental changes and security concerns. The future of the treaty will depend on how both countries manage their shared water resources and whether they continue to prioritize cooperation over competition.