The Indus Water Treaty is an agreement between India and Pakistan, signed in 1960, that governs the use of the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries. This treaty was brokered by the World Bank to ensure the peaceful and fair distribution of water resources between the two neighboring countries. It allocates control of the three “western” rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) to Pakistan, while India has control over the three “eastern” rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej). The treaty is considered one of the most successful international agreements, helping to manage and share vital water resources in a region where water is crucial for agriculture and livelihoods.
Tags: GS – 2, India and its Neighbourhood, Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests
Prelims: Kishanganga and Ratle Hydro Electric Projects, Indus Water Treaty (IWT), Indus and its tributaries
Mains: Indus Waters Treaty and associated implementation issues
Context:
- Recently, a five-member Pakistani delegation was flown to Jammu’s Kishtwar to inspect power projects set up on the rivers covered under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) of 1960.
- India called for amendments to the agreement last year due to its dissatisfaction with the dispute resolution process.
What is the Indus Water Treaty (IWT)?
About:
- The Indus Waters Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960, between India and Pakistan and was brokered by the World Bank.
- The treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two sides on the use of the water of the Indus River and its five tributaries Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Jhelum, and Chenab.
Key Provisions:
- Water Sharing:
- It prescribes how water from the six rivers of the Indus River System would be shared between India and Pakistan.
- It allocated the three western rivers Indus, Chenab and Jhelum to Pakistan for unrestricted use, barring certain non-consumptive, agricultural and domestic uses by India and the three Eastern rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej were allocated to India for unrestricted usage.
- This means that 80% of the share of water went to Pakistan while leaving the rest 20% of water for use by India.
- Permanent Indus Commission:
- Under the Indus Waters Treaty, both countries must set up a Permanent Indus Commission, mandated to meet annually.
- Dispute Resolution Mechanism:
- The IWT provides a three-step dispute resolution mechanism under which “questions” on both sides can be resolved at the Permanent Commission, or can also be taken up at the inter-government level.
- Unresolved differences between the countries on water-sharing can be addressed by the World Bank-appointed Neutral Expert (NE).
- Appeal from a Neutral Expert of WB can be referred to a Court of Arbitration set up by the World Bank.
Various Projects to be Inspected Under IWT:
- Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai:
- Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project built on river Marusudar, a tributary of the Chenab. Lower Kalnai is developed on the Chenab.
- Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project:
- It is a run-of-the-river project located in J&K.
- Pakistan objected to the project arguing that it would affect the flow of the Kishanganga River (called the Neelum River in Pakistan).
- In 2013, The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration (CoA) ruled that India could divert all the water with certain conditions.
- Ratle Hydroelectric Project:
- It is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station on the Chenab River, in J&K.
Indus River and its Tributaries:
Source:
- The Indus (In Tibetan called Sengge Chu/‘Lion River’), a major river in South Asia, originates in Tibet near Mansarovar Lake in the Trans-Himalaya.
- The river flows through Tibet, India, and Pakistan, with about 200 million people living in the area of its drainage basin.
Course and Major Tributaries:
- Entry into India: It enters India through Ladakh and flows through Jammu and Kashmir before reaching Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region.
- Left-bank Tributaries: The major left-bank tributaries of the Indus River are the Zaskar, Suru, Soan, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj, and Panjnad rivers.
- Right-bank Tributaries: The major right-bank tributaries are Shyok, Gilgit, Hunza, Swat, Kunnar, Kurram, Gomal, and Kabul rivers.
- Termination: The Indus River empties into the Arabian Sea near the city of Karachi in southern Pakistan.
| River | Source | Joins |
| Jhelum | Spring at Verinag, Kashmir Valley | Chenab at Trimmu, Pakistan |
| Chenab | Chandra and Bhaga streams near BaraLacha Pass | Satluj after receiving Jhelum and Ravi |
| Ravi | Kullu hills near Rohtang Pass | Chenab near Rangpur, Pakistan |
| Beas | Near Rohtang Pass | Satluj at Harike Barrage, India |
| Satluj | Manasarovar-Rakas Lakes, Tibet | Indus a few kilometres above Mithankot, Pakistan |
Indus Waters Treaty Issues:
- Hydroelectric Projects Dispute (2016):
- Pakistan raised concerns with the World Bank regarding India’s Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu & Kashmir, alleging treaty violations.
- India sought neutral expert inspection, asserting these were technical issues not warranting arbitration. Following bilateral talks, the World Bank allowed India to proceed with the projects.
- Tulbul Navigation Project Suspension:
- The Tulbul project, a navigation lock on the Jhelum River, was suspended in 1987 due to objections from Pakistan. Recently, despite Pakistan’s objections, India decided to reassess the suspension.
- Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) Project:
- Pakistan’s LBOD project, passing through India’s Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch, was built without Indian consent, violating the IWT.
- India protests, emphasising its lower riparian status and potential flooding risks in Gujarat.
- Geopolitical Tensions and Treaty Favorability:
- Bilateral relations, strained after incidents like the Uri attacks, prompted Indian Prime Minister Modi’s statement that “blood and water cannot flow simultaneously.”
- Experts suggest the IWT favours Pakistan, influencing India’s stance.
- Legal and Utilisation Issues:
- Criticism targets the signing of the IWT by PM Nehru, not the head of state.
- India underutilised its allocated water share, with 2 MAF of Ravi River water flowing unused to Pakistan.
- Post-Pulwama Policy Shift:
- In response to security concerns post-Pulwama attacks, India plans to divert water from the three eastern rivers to Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
- Projects like Shahpurkandi, Ujh Multipurpose, and 2nd Ravi Beas Link aim to optimise water usage and prevent excess flow to Pakistan.
Developments on the Eastern rivers of Indus Water Treaty:
- Utilisation Projects:
- Bhakra Dam on the Satluj, Pong and Pandoh Dams on the Beas, and Thein (Ranjit Sagar Dam) on the Ravi have been constructed to optimise water usage.
- Projects like the Beas-Sutlej Link, Madhopur-Beas Link, and Indira Gandhi Nahar Project enhance water utilisation efficiency.
- Water Flow to Pakistan:
- Despite these efforts, approximately 2 Million Acre Feet (MAF) of water from the Ravi annually continues to flow unutilized to Pakistan below Madhopur.
- Steps to Retain Water:
- To prevent this outflow, India has initiated:
- Shahpur Kandi Project: Utilises water from Thein Dam for irrigation and power generation in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Ujh Multipurpose Project: Located on the Ujh River, it aims to store water for irrigation and power generation, designated as a National Project with a 6-year completion timeline.
- 2nd Ravi Beas Link Below Ujh: Planned to divert excess water from the Ravi to the Beas Basin via a barrage and tunnel link, ensuring optimal use of water resources.
Impacts of Climate Change on the Indus Basin:
- NASA’s Findings: In 2015, NASA ranked the Indus basin as the world’s second most over-stressed aquifer.
- Glacial Contributions: Approximately 31% of the net basin flow originates from climate-impacted glaciers and snow melts.
- Seasonal Variability: Climate change leads to more volatile and seasonal mean annual flows.
- Unpredictable Monsoons: Erratic monsoon patterns contribute to the variability of flow volume.
- Water Quality Concerns: Deteriorating water quality poses threats to food security, human health, and biodiversity.
Integrating Ecological Perspectives:
- Adoption of Environmental Flows (EF): It is crucial to institutionalise the adoption, allocation, and implementation of Environmental Flows within the IWT.
- Brisbane Declaration: EFs refer to the quantity and timing of freshwater flows necessary to sustain aquatic ecosystems.
- UN Watercourses Convention: Harmonizing EFs with the principles of equitable and reasonable use, and the duty to prevent significant transboundary harm is essential.
- Berlin Rules on Water Resources: The 2004 Berlin Rules emphasise minimising environmental harm and maintaining ecological flows in transboundary rivers.
- Permanent Court of Arbitration: The 2013 ruling on India’s Kishanganga project highlights the obligation to release environmental flows downstream, setting a precedent for EFs in transboundary basins.
IWT – Options for India:
- Unilateral Abrogation Challenges:
- The treaty’s terms prohibit unilateral abrogation, posing legal and diplomatic challenges.
- Withdrawal would require adherence to the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, impacting India’s international reputation.
- International Ramifications:
- Abrogation could affect India’s standing globally and raise concerns among neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal regarding future treaty commitments.
- UNSC Aspirations:
- Safeguarding bilateral agreements, including the IWT, is crucial for India’s aspirations for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
- Security Concerns:
- Ending the treaty may exacerbate security challenges, potentially impacting counter-terrorism efforts.
- Infrastructure Readiness:
- Before discontinuing water flow to Pakistan, India must develop sufficient infrastructure to fully utilise its entitled water share.
- Chinese Factor:
- China’s support to Pakistan could lead to additional water-related challenges, including potential blockage of Brahmaputra River waters to Assam and impacting the Indus River originating from Chinese territory.
Way forward:
- Emphasis on Technical Dispute Resolution:
- Both countries should prioritise utilising the existing framework of the treaty to resolve technical disputes effectively and expediently.
- Enhanced Transparency and Data Sharing:
- Both nations can enhance mutual trust and address shared concerns by exchanging hydrological data regularly and transparently.
- Collaborative Basin Management:
- Given challenges like climate change and population growth in the Indus basin, there is a pressing need for joint management efforts aimed at conserving water, managing floods, and promoting sustainable water usage.
- Commitment to Political Dialogue:
- Achieving sustainable solutions hinges on a steadfast commitment from both governments to prioritise dialogue and cooperation over potential confrontations.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q1. 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? (2021)
- Chenab
- Jhelum
- Ravi
- Sutlej
Ans: (d)
Q2. Consider the following pairs (2019)
| Glacier | River | |
| 1. | Bandarpunch | Yamuna |
| 2. | Bara Shigri | Chenab |
| 3. | Milam | Mandakini |
| 4. | Siachen | Nubra |
| 5. | Zemu | Manas |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 5 only
- 3 and 5 only
Ans: (a)
Mains:
Q:1 Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations. (2016)
Q:2.The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (2020)
Source: IE
FAQs
Q: What is the Indus Water Treaty?
Answer: The Indus Water Treaty is an agreement between India and Pakistan, signed in 1960, to manage and share the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries. It ensures that both countries can use the river’s resources peacefully and fairly.
Q: Why was the Indus Water Treaty needed?
Answer: The treaty was needed to resolve water-sharing disputes between India and Pakistan after their separation in 1947. Both countries depend on the Indus River for agriculture, drinking water, and other needs, making it essential to have a clear and fair agreement.
Q: How does the Indus Water Treaty divide the river’s waters?
Answer: The treaty allocates the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) to India and the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) to Pakistan. This division allows both countries to manage and use the water from these rivers without conflict.
Q: Has the Indus Water Treaty been successful?
Answer: Yes, the Indus Water Treaty has been largely successful and is considered one of the most enduring agreements between India and Pakistan. Despite tensions between the two countries, the treaty has managed to keep water-sharing disputes under control for over six decades.
Q: What happens if there is a disagreement over the Indus Water Treaty?
Answer: If there is a disagreement, both countries can seek resolution through the Permanent Indus Commission, which meets regularly to address issues. If necessary, disputes can also be taken to international arbitration or the World Bank, which helped broker the original treaty.
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