BLOG
April 7th, 2023
Via Geopolitics in South Asia and MENA, commentary on the Indus Water Treaty:
The Indus Water Treaty is crucial to the peace and stability of the South Asian region. The treaty provides a framework for the sharing of water resources between India and Pakistan, which are two of the most populous and powerful countries in the region. The treaty has been in place since 1960, and despite some disputes and issues, it has managed to prevent any major conflicts between the two countries over water resources.
Under the treaty, both India and Pakistan have certain rights and obligations. India has the right to use the waters of the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi) for its use, while Pakistan has the right to use the waters of the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) for its use. Both countries are obligated to inform each other about any new projects being planned or constructed on the shared rivers.
However, the fast-tracking of hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir by India has raised concerns about the implementation of the treaty. Pakistan has accused India of violating the treaty by not providing timely and adequate information about the projects being constructed on the shared rivers. Pakistan believes that the fast-tracking of these projects will reduce the water flow downstream and have an adverse impact on its agriculture and economy.
The issue of water resources is critical for both India and Pakistan. The Indus River is the lifeline of Pakistan’s agriculture and economy, and any reduction in the flow of water downstream can have a significant impact on the country’s food security and economic growth. India, on the other hand, is also heavily dependent on water resources for its economic development, and the fast-tracking of hydropower projects is seen as an important step towards achieving its energy goals.
However, it is important to note that the successful collaboration on the Indus Water Treaty is critical to maintaining peace and stability in the South Asian region. Any disputes or conflicts over water resources can have far-reaching implications for the region’s security and stability. The sharing of water resources is a complex and sensitive issue, and any mismanagement or disputes can lead to tensions between countries.
Therefore, both India and Pakistan need to work together to resolve any disputes or issues that may arise regarding the implementation of the treaty. Both countries need to communicate openly and transparently with each other about any new projects being planned or constructed on the shared rivers. The World Bank, which brokered the treaty, should also play an active role in monitoring the implementation of the treaty and resolving any disputes or issues that may arise.
Moreover, the collaboration between India and Pakistan on the Indus Water Treaty can also serve as a model for other countries in the region. South Asia is home to many transboundary rivers, and the successful collaboration between India and Pakistan on the Indus Water Treaty can provide a template for other countries in the region to manage their shared water resources.
Indus Water Treaty is critical to the peace and stability of the South Asian region. The successful collaboration between India and Pakistan on the implementation of the treaty is crucial to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Indus Water Treaty is a binding agreement between India and Pakistan that provides a framework for the sharing of water resources between the two countries. The treaty is inviolable, and both countries have certain rights and obligations under the treaty. However, the fast-tracking of hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir has caused issues with the treaty, primarily with regards to the western rivers of the Indus, which are allocated to Pakistan under the treaty. To ensure the inviolability of the treaty, both India and Pakistan need to work together to resolve any disputes or issues that may arise regarding the implementation of the treaty.
Indus water treaty has so far proven to be a formidable arrangement, withstanding wars and political upheaval for decades now. This is an amazing success of global rule based order. And it also speaks volume of commitment shown by India and Pakistan. The joint institutional mechanism developed by IWT has continued to work and collaborate.