Water treaties between Pakistan and India

India and Pakistan share several major rivers, and to manage the complex and often sensitive issue of water sharing, the two countries signed a landmark agreement:

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) – 1960

Signed: September 19, 1960
Brokered by: The World Bank (then the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development)
Parties: India and Pakistan
Main Rivers Involved: The Indus River System (6 rivers in total)

Key Features:

1. Division of Rivers:

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

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

2. Usage Rights:

   • India can use Western rivers for non-consumptive purposes (e.g., irrigation, hydroelectric power, navigation) without interfering with flow.

   • Pakistan has unrestricted use of the Western rivers.

   • India has full control over the Eastern rivers but must allow some flow downstream under certain conditions.

3. Dispute Resolution Mechanism:

   • Permanent Indus Commission (PIC): A bilateral body for regular meetings and information sharing.

   • Neutral Expert: Appointed by the World Bank for technical disputes.

   • Court of Arbitration: For more serious legal disagreements.

Why It Matters:

• Stability: The IWT has survived three wars and remains one of the few consistently respected agreements between the two countries.

• Tensions: Disputes arise periodically, especially over India’s hydroelectric projects in Jammu & Kashmir (e.g., Baglihar and Kishanganga dams), which Pakistan claims may violate the treaty.

• Climate Change & Population Growth: Both countries face increasing water stress, making the treaty’s future more important—and more contested.

Recent Developments:

• India’s Position: Post-2016 (after the Uri attack), India considered re-evaluating the treaty, suggesting it might maximize its legal use of the Western rivers.

• Pakistan’s Appeals: Pakistan has brought several disputes to international forums, notably challenging India’s Kishanganga and Ratle dam projects.

• World Bank’s Role: The Bank has intermittently paused mediation to encourage bilateral resolution but remains a facilitator.