You often hear about The Indus Waters Treaty in news, but what is this treaty all about? The News Herald explains:
The Indus Waters Treaty [IWT], brokered by the World Bank, split the Indus River and its tributaries between Pakistan and India way back in 1960.
According to this treaty, which is currently held in abeyance by New Delhi, three Western Rivers remain allocated to Pakistan. These rivers are: Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. On the other hand, three Eastern Rivers [Ravi, Beas, Sutlej] are allocated to India.
The waters of all six rivers are important to both countries. Pakistan is a low riparian state while China remains an upper riparian state.
Despite wars in 1965, 1971 and the Kargil War in the late 1990s, and other periods of escalation between the two neighbours, the IWT survived until April 2025.
After the deadly attack in South Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley in picturesque Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, New Delhi suspended the IWT, blaming Islamabad for the attack. Islamabad denied the claim made by New Delhi.
Islamabad has warned that unilateral suspension of the IWT will be considered “an act of war” while Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah supports suspension of the treaty, arguing that the water treaty does not benefit the people of J&K.
Earlier too, Islamabad has raised objections on hydroelectric projects such as Salal, Uri, Baglihar & Kishenganga, arguing such projects violate the treaty.
Recently, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned of a “direct response” to New Delhi’s move to put the IWT into abeyance since May last year.
“Every drop of Pakistan’s water is our red line. There will be no compromise on the water issue. If India does not come to the right path, we will give it a direct response,” the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responded by saying that the IWT has “sucked blood” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Favouring suspension of the IWT, Abdullah said the people of J&K should have the full rights over Kashmir waters.
