NEW DELHI: India suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan on Wednesday in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. This move was one of five major decisions made during a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What is Indus Waters Treaty?
The Indus Water Treaty (IWT), signed on September 19, 1960, between India and Pakistan, is seen as a key example of cross-border water-sharing.
It was brokered by the World Bank after nine years of talks and signed by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan to manage shared rivers.
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How does the Indus Waters Treaty works?
According to the agreement, India has control over the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—while Pakistan gets the waters from the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
The treaty benefits Pakistan as it receives about 80% of the total water flow from these rivers, which are vital for agriculture in Pakistan, especially in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh.
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According to the World Bank, the treaty set up a framework for fair and cooperative management of the Indus River system, which is essential for agriculture, drinking water, and industry in both India and Pakistan.
It outlined clear guidelines for the equitable sharing of the river and its tributaries to ensure both nations could meet their water needs.
The treaty gave India control over the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—while Pakistan was given the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
However, both countries are allowed limited use of the rivers assigned to the other for specific purposes like irrigation and power generation.
Why was the treaty needed?
When British India was divided in 1947, the Indus River system—which starts in Tibet and flows through both India and Pakistan, also touching parts of Afghanistan and China—became a source of tension.
In 1948, India temporarily stopped the flow of water to Pakistan, leading Pakistan to raise the issue with the United Nations. The UN recommended involving a neutral third party, prompting the World Bank to step in and mediate.
After years of negotiations, the Indus Water Treaty was finally signed in 1960 by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan to peacefully manage and share the vital river system.
Also read: 5 big CCS decisions taken by India following Pahalgam terror attack
How will Indus Water Treaty suspension impact Pakistan?
The treaty’s suspension would considerably affect Pakistan, as this agreement regulates the usage and allocation of water from the Indus River system and its tributaries, which are essential for Pakistan’s water requirements and agricultural sector.
- The Indus River network, comprising the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers, serves as Pakistan’s principal water resource, supporting a population of tens of millions.
- The treaty will impact Pakistan as it receives about 80% of the total water flow, which are vital for agriculture in Pakistan, especially in the provincesof Punjab and Sindh.
- Pakistan relies substantially on this water supply for irrigation, farming and potable water.
- The agricultural sector contributes 23% to Pakistan’s national income and supports 68% of its rural inhabitants.
- The Indus basin supplies 154.3 million acre-feet of water yearly, which is vital for irrigating extensive agricultural areas and ensuring food security.
- Any interruption to water flow would significantly impact Pakistan’s agricultural sector, a crucial component of its economy and rural livelihoods.
- Reduced water availability will likely lead to lower crop yields, food shortages, and economic instability in rural areas dependent on farming.
- Pakistan already faces critical
water management issues such as groundwater depletion, salinization of agricultural lands, and limited water storage capacity. - The country’s water storage capacity is low, with major dams like Mangla and Tarbela having a combined live storage of only about 14.4 MAF, which is just 10% of Pakistan’s annual water share under the treaty.
- The suspension exacerbates these vulnerabilities by cutting off a guaranteed water supply, leaving Pakistan with fewer options to manage its water needs.