INDUS WATER TREATY

INDUS WATERS TREATY

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The Indus Waters Treaty is a water-distribution agreement signed between India and Pakistan in 1960,
brokered by the World Bank.

It was signed in Karachi on 19 September 1960 by then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then
Pakistani president Field Marshal Ayub Khan.

It is considered one of the most successful international treaties concerning water distribution.

KEY FEATURES:-
1. Rivers Covered:

o The treaty allocates water from six rivers of the Indus basin:

 Eastern Rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej (allocated to India)

 Western Rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab (allocated to Pakistan)

2. Water Allocation:

o India received exclusive rights over the eastern rivers but must allow a portion of their flow to
continue downstream to Pakistan.

o Pakistan received rights over the western rivers, which account for about 80% of the basin's
total water.

3. Usage Rights:

o India can use water from the western rivers for limited purposes such as irrigation, transport, and
hydropower generation without significantly altering the flow.

4. Permanent Indus Commission:

o A body formed under the treaty consisting of representatives from both India and Pakistan,
tasked with resolving disputes and sharing technical data on water usage.

5. Dispute Resolution:

o If disagreements arise, they are to be resolved via mutual discussions, involvement of a neutral
expert, or international arbitration as a last resort.

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ORGIN:- Tibetan Plateau near Lake

Mansarovar.
TOTAL LENGTH:- 3,180 kilometers,1,114
kilometers
BASIN:- Pakistan (47%), India (39%), China
(8%), and Afghanistan (6%).
VEDIC NAME:- Sindu

SUMMARY OF WATER SHARE:-

 Pakistan: 80% (Western Rivers)

 India: 20% (Eastern Rivers)

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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:-

WORLD BANK MEDIATION AND TREATY FORMATION:-

World Bank Involvement (1952):-

In 1951, David Lilienthal, formerly the chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority and of the U.S. Atomic
Energy Commission, visited the region to write a series of articles for Collier's magazine.

Lilienthal's idea was well received by officials at the World Bank (then the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development) and subsequently, by the Indian and Pakistani governments. Eugene R.
Black, then president of the World Bank, told Lilienthal that his proposal "makes good sense all round".

SIGNING OF THE TREATY (1960):-

5. Indus Waters Treaty Signed (September 19, 1960):-

o After years of negotiation, the Indus Waters Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960, in
Karachi by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan,
with the World Bank as the third-party signatory.
o The treaty assigned control of the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India, and the
three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan.

KEY PROVISIONS OF THE TREATY:-

 Water Division: India received the rights to the eastern rivers, while Pakistan got the larger share, the
western rivers, which are crucial to its agriculture.

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 Compensation: Pakistan was provided with funding (through the World Bank) to build water storage
and irrigation systems, including the construction of dams (such as Mangla and Tarbela), to mitigate the
loss of water from the eastern rivers.
 Permanent Indus Commission: A commission with representatives from both countries was set up to
oversee the implementation of the treaty and resolve disputes.
 Dispute Resolution: If the commission could not resolve disagreements, the treaty provided a
framework for mediation by the World Bank or international arbitration.

The Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) is a key feature of the Indus Waters Treaty and plays a crucial role
in ensuring the treaty's smooth implementation.

ROLE OF THE PERMANENT INDUS COMMISSION:-

1. Dispute Resolution:
o The PIC is tasked with resolving any disputes or differences that may arise between India
and Pakistan regarding the implementation of the treaty. If either country feels that the other
is violating any provisions, the commission is the first platform for discussions to resolve
such concerns.
2. Monitoring and Communication:
o The commission facilitates continuous communication between the two countries about
water usage, new projects, and developments in the river basin. It ensures that both parties
are aware of each other's water-related activities and projects, such as the construction of
dams or hydropower plants.
3. Data Sharing:
o Both countries are required to regularly share data and information related to the flows of
rivers, water usage, and planned projects. This transparency helps in avoiding
misunderstandings and reduces the risk of conflicts.
4. Annual Meetings:
o The commission meets at least once a year, alternately in India and Pakistan, to discuss the
status of water sharing, emerging issues, and any grievances. It serves as a forum for
technical and diplomatic discussions.
5. Escalation Mechanism:
o If the commission is unable to resolve a dispute, the matter can be escalated to a neutral
expert or taken for international arbitration, as specified in the treaty.

IMPORTANCE OF THE PERMANENT INDUS COMMISSION:-

The PIC acts as a vital institution for maintaining cooperation between India and Pakistan over water sharing. It
ensures that disputes are handled diplomatically and technically, rather than escalating to political or military
tensions. The commission has played a key role in keeping the treaty intact, even during periods of conflict
between the two nations.

Treaty under scrutiny:-

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has long been hailed as one of the most successful examples of international
water-sharing cooperation, but in recent years, the treaty has come under increased scrutiny for several reasons.
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Both India and Pakistan have voiced concerns about various aspects of the treaty, especially in the context of
geopolitical tensions, climate change, and water scarcity.

REASONS FOR SCRUTINY:-

1. Geopolitical Tensions:
o The ongoing hostility and military confrontations between India and Pakistan, including
incidents like the Kargil War (1999), Mumbai attacks (2008), Uri attack (2016), and the
Pulwama attack (2019), have put immense strain on bilateral relations.
o After the Pulwama attack, India suggested reconsidering its commitment to the treaty. Indian
leaders hinted at potentially utilizing more water from the western rivers to assert pressure on
Pakistan. This rhetoric has raised concerns in Pakistan about the potential weaponization of
water by India.
2. Indian Hydroelectric Projects:
o Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns about India's construction of hydroelectric dams and
projects on the western rivers, which are allocated to Pakistan under the treaty. Notable projects
include:
 Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River
 Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project on the Jhelum River
o Pakistan contends that these projects violate the treaty’s provisions by affecting the flow of water
into Pakistan. India, however, maintains that these projects are within the limits allowed by the
treaty, which permits non-consumptive uses like hydropower generation.
o Several of these disputes have been taken to international arbitration or third-party mediation.
For example, the Kishanganga dispute was adjudicated by the Permanent Court of
Arbitration (PCA) in 2013, which ruled in favor of India with certain conditions.
3. Pakistan’s Water Scarcity:
o Pakistan is facing severe water shortages and has one of the world's lowest per capita water
availability levels. Many in Pakistan feel that the treaty, while beneficial initially, is now
insufficient to meet the country's growing agricultural and population demands.
o Pakistan accuses India of unfair water practices, especially during the dry season, and fears that
India's upstream projects could exacerbate its water crisis, particularly as rainfall patterns
become more unpredictable due to climate change.
4. Climate Change and Environmental Changes:
o Climate change is adding a new layer of complexity to water management under the treaty. The
Indus basin is highly sensitive to climate-related shifts, including changes in the flow of rivers
due to glacial melting in the Himalayas, altered rainfall patterns, and prolonged droughts or
floods.
o Both countries are facing water scarcity issues, and the treaty’s provisions were designed at a
time when such environmental changes were not as significant. Today, the treaty faces
challenges in adapting to these changing circumstances.
o There have been growing calls to modernize the treaty to account for climate resilience and
better management of shared water resources in the face of these changes.
5. India's Growing Demand for Water:
o With a growing population and increasing industrial and agricultural needs, India is seeking to
maximize its usage of water resources, including the rivers allocated to Pakistan. While India is
allowed limited usage of the western rivers for irrigation and hydroelectric purposes, it has been
exploring ways to maximize this allowance, which has raised alarms in Pakistan.

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6. Calls for Renegotiation:
o While Pakistan generally views the treaty as favorable to its interests (as it controls 80% of the
Indus basin’s water), there have been some calls within India to renegotiate the treaty. Critics in
India argue that the treaty unfairly restricts India's ability to use water from the western rivers for
development purposes.
o Some Indian officials have suggested that the treaty be revisited to provide India greater
flexibility to address its own growing water needs.

7. Water as a National Security Issue:

o In recent years, both India and Pakistan have begun framing water as a national security issue.
For Pakistan, water is crucial for its agricultural economy, while for India, controlling the flow of
the rivers is seen as a matter of sovereignty, especially in regions like Jammu and Kashmir,
where many of these rivers flow.
o This securitization of water increases the potential for conflict, as any disruption or perceived
disruption of water flows could be viewed as an act of aggression.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:-

1. Pakistan's Push for International Mediation:

o Pakistan has sought international arbitration multiple times, under the provisions of the treaty,
regarding Indian projects on the western rivers. In recent years, Islamabad has called for the
World Bank’s intervention and mediation to resolve disputes.
2. India's Statements on Water Use:
o In recent political statements, some Indian leaders have hinted at using more water from the
eastern rivers that flow into Pakistan, citing the need to utilize resources more efficiently within
India. These statements have heightened concerns in Pakistan about the stability of the treaty.
3. Growing Calls for Revision:
o Environmental experts and some policymakers in both countries are calling for the treaty to be
revised to better reflect the realities of 21st-century water management and climate
challenges. However, given the deep mistrust between India and Pakistan, renegotiating the
treaty would be an extremely delicate process, fraught with diplomatic and political risks.

CONCLUSION:-

The Indus Waters Treaty is under increasing scrutiny due to a range of issues, including geopolitical tensions,
climate change, and growing water scarcity. While the treaty has been resilient in maintaining peace over shared
water resources for over six decades, its future may depend on how both nations address the emerging
challenges and whether they are willing to cooperate to modernize its provisions. Given the critical nature of
water security for both countries, managing this issue is vital for maintaining regional stability.

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Some important MCQs on IWT:-
1. When was the Indus Waters Treaty signed?
a) 1951
b) 1960
c) 1947
d) 1972

2. Which organization brokered the Indus Waters Treaty

between India and Pakistan?
a) United Nations
b) World Bank
c) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
d) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

3. Under the Indus Waters Treaty, which group of rivers was

allocated to Pakistan?
a) Ravi, Beas, Sutlej
b) Indus, Jhelum, Chenab
c) Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra
d) Narmada, Godavari, Krishna

4. How much of the Indus River system's water is allocated to

Pakistan under the treaty?
a) 50%
b) 20%
c) 80%
d) 90%

5. Which of the following rivers is NOT part of the Indus River

system covered by the treaty?
a) Beas
b) Yamuna
c) Jhelum
d) Sutlej

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6. What role does the Permanent Indus Commission play in the
Indus Waters Treaty?
a) Controls the flow of water from all rivers
b) Resolves disputes and oversees the implementation of the
treaty
c) Determines the annual allocation of water
d) Decides on the construction of new dams

7. Which country controls the waters of the eastern rivers (Ravi,

Beas, Sutlej) under the treaty?
a) Pakistan b) India
c) China d) Afghanistan

8. Which dam was constructed by Pakistan as a result of the

Indus Waters Treaty to manage the water from the western
rivers?
a) Bhakra Dam
b) Mangla Dam
c) Hirakud Dam
d) SardarSarovar Dam

9. Which river in the Indus system originates from Tibet?

a) Ravi b) Beas
c) Indus d) Sutlej

10. How are disputes between India and Pakistan resolved

under the Indus Waters Treaty if bilateral talks fail?
a) Through military intervention
b) Through mediation by a third party or international
arbitration
c) By the United Nations
d) By stopping water flow to the other country

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DETAILS EXPLANATION OF ABOVE QUESTIONS Treaty only governs the six rivers of the Indus River
1. When was the Indus Waters Treaty signed? system: the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and
Answer: b) 1960 Sutlej.
Explanation: The Indus Waters Treaty was signed on
September 19, 1960, by India and Pakistan, with the 6. What role does the Permanent Indus Commission
World Bank acting as a broker. It was a significant play in the Indus Waters Treaty?
agreement aimed at resolving disputes over the use of Answer: b) Resolves disputes and oversees the
the water resources of the Indus River system, ensuring implementation of the treaty
cooperation between the two countries in managing Explanation: The Permanent Indus Commission (PIC),
their shared rivers. established under the treaty, plays a critical role in
managing the treaty's implementation. The commission
2. Which organization brokered the Indus Waters meets regularly to monitor the use of the rivers, address
Treaty between India and Pakistan? any concerns, and facilitate dialogue between the two
Answer: b) World Bank nations. It also acts as the first platform for resolving
Explanation: The World Bank played a key role in disputes over water sharing or project construction. If
brokering and facilitating the Indus Waters Treaty. After the commission cannot resolve a dispute, it can be
years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, the referred to a neutral expert or taken for international
World Bank helped resolve the dispute and contributed arbitration.
financially and technically to various infrastructure
projects that followed the treaty, such as the 7. Which country controls the waters of the eastern
construction of dams and barrages. rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) under the treaty?
Answer: b) India
3. Under the Indus Waters Treaty, which group of Explanation: Under the Indus Waters Treaty, India has
rivers was allocated to Pakistan? control over the eastern rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
Answer: b) Indus, Jhelum, Chenab India can use these rivers' waters without restriction for
Explanation: The Indus Waters Treaty divided the rivers agriculture, drinking water, and other purposes.
of the Indus River System into two groups: However, it is required to let sufficient water flow
Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) were allocated downstream to ensure some availability for Pakistan.
to Pakistan.
Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) were allocated to 8. Which dam was constructed by Pakistan as a result
India. This arrangement ensured that Pakistan had of the Indus Waters Treaty to manage the water from
control over the majority of the waters from the the western rivers?
western rivers for its agriculture and development, Answer: b) Mangla Dam
while India could fully utilize the eastern rivers. Explanation: The Mangla Dam was built on the Jhelum
River in Pakistan following the Indus Waters Treaty to
4. How much of the Indus River system's water is better manage the water resources from the western
allocated to Pakistan under the treaty? rivers allocated to Pakistan. The dam serves multiple
Answer: c) 80% purposes, including water storage for irrigation,
Explanation: Under the treaty, about 80% of the water hydropower generation, and flood control. It is one of
from the Indus River System was allocated to Pakistan. the largest dams in Pakistan and was essential for
The western rivers, which make up the bulk of the compensating for the loss of water from the eastern
system’s flow, are primarily used by Pakistan. India, rivers.
while having limited rights to use these rivers for certain
purposes like irrigation and hydropower, primarily 9. Which river in the Indus system originates from
controls the eastern rivers. Tibet?
Answer: c) Indus
5. Which of the following rivers is NOT part of the Explanation: The Indus River originates in the Tibetan
Indus River system covered by the treaty? Plateau, in the vicinity of Lake Mansarovar. It flows
Answer: b) Yamuna through China (Tibet), India, and Pakistan, making it
Explanation: The Yamuna River is not part of the Indus one of the longest rivers in the world and a key water
River system. It is a tributary of the Ganges River and is source for Pakistan.
primarily located in northern India. The Indus Waters
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10. How are disputes between India and Pakistan
resolved under the Indus Waters Treaty if bilateral
talks fail?
Answer: b) Through mediation by a third party or
international arbitration
Explanation: If bilateral discussions between India and
Pakistan (via the Permanent Indus Commission) fail to
resolve a dispute, the treaty allows for third-party
mediation or international arbitration. The World
Bank, which brokered the treaty, may appoint a neutral
expert to provide technical decisions on disputes, or the
case can be taken to the Court of Arbitration for a
legally binding decision. This structured resolution
process has helped prevent many water disputes from
escalating into larger conflicts.

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