Indus Water Treaty 1960, Map, Key Features, Dispute

Indus Water Treaty is a river water sharing agreement between India and Pakistan signed in 1960, with the World Bank as a guarantor. The Indus Water Treaty regulates the use of six rivers in the Indus Basin, allocating water between the two countries for agricultural, domestic, and industrial use. The Treaty has allocated waters of the Eastern rivers (Indus, Ravi, Sutlej) to India, while Pakistan has rights to the Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab).

Indus Water Treaty has been subjected to numerous disputes in recent times, mainly due to Pakistan’s objection to India’s dam construction activities. Despite ongoing disputes, the Indus Waters Treaty is often viewed as a symbol of potential peaceful coexistence in a historically fraught relationship.

Indus Water Treaty Overview

Indus Water Treaty is a treaty between India and Pakistan that allocates water from the Indus River and its tributaries. The treaty was signed in Karachi in 1960. The treaty was mediated by the World Bank. 

Indus Water Treaty River Distribution

Indus Water Treaty River Distribution is done to ensure a fair division of river water and ensure peaceful cooperation among the neighbors. The Indus Water Treaty ensures a sustainable water division between India and Pakistan by allocating the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India.

Indus Water Treaty History

The History of the Indus Water Treaty goes back to the time of India’s Independence when the boundary line between Pakistan and India was being drawn. The details are mentioned below:

• Drawing of Boundaries: During the time of India’s independence, the boundary line between Pakistan and India was drawn across the Indus Basin, leaving Pakistan as the lower riparian. 
• Beginning of conflict: Post partition, two crucial irrigation head works in Madhopur and Ferozepur, which were dependent on Punjab’s irrigation canal supplies, were left in the Indian Territory, leading to a dispute over water usage.
• Mediation by World Bank: The negotiations with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) led to the signing of the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960. 
• Signing of Treaty: The treaty was signed by Mohammad Ayub Khan of Pakistan, Jawaharlal Nehru, and W.A.B. Iliff of the World Bank and is effective from April 1, 1960.

Indus Water Treaty Map

Indus Water Treaty Map below shows the route of the Indus River and its tributaries. The details analyzed through the map are mentioned below:

• Indus River: It originates in Tibet, flows through India (Ladakh), and then into Pakistan.
• Jhelum and Chenab: They flow through Jammu and Kashmir before entering Pakistan.
• Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi: They flow through northern India and Punjab before entering Pakistan.

Indus Water Treaty Key Features

Indus Water Treaty, which was signed in 1960, was brokered by the World Bank. It has several important provisions to ensure continued peaceful sharing of the Indus River System among the neighbors. The important features of the treaty are discussed below in detail:

• Water-Sharing: Under Indus Water Treaty Pakistan was granted the western rivers Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum for unrestricted use, while India was granted the eastern rivers Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej for unrestricted use.
• Permanent Indus Commission: The Treaty required to set up a Permanent Indus Commission, mandated to meet annually. 
  • It acts as a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers. It consists of a Commissioner from each country.
• Dispute Resolution Mechanism: The Indus Water Treaty provides for a three-tier dispute resolution mechanism. This structure ensures that disputes over the Indus waters are addressed in a graduated manner, with efforts focused first on cooperation and technical expertise before moving to formal arbitration.
  • Level 1:  “Questions” are handled by the Permanent Indus Commission; 
  • Level 2: “Differences” are to be resolved by a Neutral Expert (appointed by the World Bank)
  • Level 3: “Disputes” are referred to an ad hoc arbitral tribunal called the “Court of Arbitration.” 

• Exchange of Data: Both parties must indulge in the Monthly exchange of data on river water usage.
• Future Co-operation: Both countries must cooperate to set up hydrologic observation stations and undertake new drainage work to preserve the rivers.

Indus Water Treaty Dispute

In recent years, India and Pakistan have been in disagreement over the design of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants on the Jhelum and Chenab Rivers, respectively.  The dispute revolves around the issue of whether the plants’ technical design violates the Indus Water Treaty, which designates the Jhelum and Chenab Rivers as the “Western Rivers” for Pakistan’s unrestricted use. India is allowed to construct hydroelectric facilities on these rivers, subject to design specifications as provided in the treaty.

Indus Water Treaty Recent Developments

Indus Water Treaty has a dispute resolution mechanism in which a step-by-step process is present for dispute resolution. However, Pakistan wanted to bypass this process on the Kishenganga and Ratle power plants issue.

• Court of Arbitration: In 2016, Pakistan unilaterally proposed adjudication by the Court of Arbitration (PCA), bypassing other mechanisms. 
  • However, India objected to this step and requested a Neutral Expert.
• Neutral Expert: The World Bank appointed Michel Lino as the neutral expert for dispute resolution in 2022.
• Stance of Neutral Expert: The Neutral Expert ruled that he is competent to address technical disputes between India and Pakistan.
• Diplomatic Win for India: The decision by the Neutral Expert aligns with India’s position that such disputes should be resolved through the Neutral Expert process, as opposed to the Court of Arbitration (CoA), which Pakistan had sought.

Indus Water Treaty Way Forward

Indus Water Treaty has a well-structured dispute resolution mechanism that both countries must follow. The need of the hour is to actively engage in dialogue through the Permanent Indus Commission and cooperate with the Neutral Expert. The Indus Water Treaty has remained in force despite multiple wars and tensions between India and Pakistan. 

Indus Water Treaty UPSC PYQs

Q.1 The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (UPSC Mains 2020)

Q.2 “The situation today is far different to that prevalent fifty years back when the Indus Water Treaty was signed.” Highlight the complexity of the current challenges on both sides of the border in this regard. Do you think that a review of the Treaty is in India’s best interests? (UPSC Mains 2012)

Q.2 With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus directly. Among the following, which one is such a river that joins the Indus directly? (UPSC Prelims 2021)

(a) Chenab

(b) Jhelum

(c) Ravi

(d) Sutle

Ans. (d)

Q.3 Consider the following pairs: (UPSC Prelims 2019)

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) 1, 2 and 4

(b) 1, 3 and 4

(c) 2 and 5

(d) 3 and 5

Ans. (a)

Q.4  Consider the following statements: (UPSC Prelims 2009)

1. The Baglihar Power Project had been constructed within the parameters of the Indus Water Treaty. 
2. The project was completely built by the Union government with loans from Japan and the World Bank. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans. (a)