24-04-2025
06:35 AM
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in Karachi between India and Pakistan on 19 September, 1960. The treaty was brokered by the World Bank. While the treaty has withstood three wars in between India and Pakistan- 1965, 1971 and 1999. However, based on the seriousness of the recent terrorist attack, the treaty has been suspended by the Government of India.
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank acting as a mediator. The treaty outlines water usage rights over six rivers of the Indus River System, categorizing them into Eastern and Western rivers.
However, India is permitted limited use of these rivers for specific non-consumptive purposes such as domestic use, navigation, flood control, agriculture, and hydropower generation without altering the flow.
Also Read: Pahalgam Terror Attack
The Indus Water Treaty division gives Pakistan access to about 70% of the water, while India retains around 30%. For implementation, both countries are required to appoint Permanent Commissioners for Indus Waters, who act as the primary channel of communication for all treaty-related matters.
To resolve disputes, the treaty provides a three-tier dispute resolution mechanism:
This treaty remains a cornerstone of water-sharing cooperation between the two countries despite decades of geopolitical tensions.
India has been constructing run-of-river projects on the Indus River which has been objected to by Pakistan as it impacts their agricultural land water supply. The Hydroelectric Water Projects include:
The Indus Water Treaty has a long history of antagonism between India and Pakistan and was suspended for the first time by New Delhi. This decision was made in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack where 26 people were killed. The impact of suspending the treaty is:
The Indus Water Treaty poses several challenges for India:
Q1. What are the main points of Indus Water Treaty?
Ans: The treaty allocates the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan, with specific non-consumptive rights to India.
Q2. Did India cancel the Indus Water Treaty?
Ans: No, India has not cancelled the Indus Water Treaty, but has suspended it as a response to the Pahalgam Terrorist attack.
Q3. What is Article 9 of the IWT?
Ans: Article 9 provides a three-tier dispute resolution mechanism—Permanent Indus Commission, Neutral Expert, and Court of Arbitration—for resolving treaty-related issues.
Q4. What treaty was signed between India and Pakistan?
Ans: The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, governs the sharing of the Indus river system.
Q5. How many rivers were given to India in the Indus Water Treaty?
Ans: Three rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—were allocated to India for unrestricted use.
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