On September 19, 2024, India issued a second formal notice to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty, which was originally established 64 years ago. A notice to review the treaty and amend it amid continued rising tensions over water sharing and hydropower projects between India and Pakistan.
Background of the Indus Waters Treaty
In 1960, the World Bank played a key role in helping India and Pakistan reach an agreement known as the Indus Waters Treaty. It assigns the waters of the Indus River system to each country, thus giving them separate rivers. The treaty awards rights to the eastern rivers-Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej-to India and control over the western rivers-Chenab, Indus, and Jhelum-to Pakistan. Amid the accolades that the treaty is touted as one of the most successful water-sharing agreements in history, the treaty now faces grave challenges.
Why did India do it?
It was the second follow-up, with India’s letter in January 2023. Indian officials argue that, apart from the geographical and environmental factors alone having drastically changed since 1960, population growth and increased agricultural demands because of significant changes in usage call for a review of the existing treaty. Since the Indian population keeps growing steadily, says the Indian authorities, the present framework fails to satisfy the interests of either nation.
India stated that these two projects ” Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower” were undertaken to ensure electricity generation and growth in the economy of this region. While Pakistan argued that the projects could deprive the region of water supply and thus render agricultural sustainability insecure, serious concerns arose regarding their impact on local communities. Officials from Pakistan have countered that a reduction in the flow of water can indeed spell disaster for its farming communities that primarily depend on the Indus River for irrigation purposes.
Protests from Pakistan
Pakistan has protested Indian hydropower projects all along. The 330-megawatt Kishanganga and the proposed 850-megawatt Ratle hydropower projects are said to wound Pakistan’s water resources. Pakistani politicians say that such projects would highly affect the river flows needed for the country’s agricultural product feeding a large portion of its population.
The dispute has been settled through international arbitration as the matter before court was a case that was before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). The matter came before PCA in the year 2016. India is not willing to accept jurisdiction of PCA for the pronouncement of judgment and PCA had issued a judgement in favor of Pakistan now in April 2023 which has declared the dispute over Indian hydroelectric projects admissible to move ahead, stated to be crucial to these long-standing tensions.
Rationale of Indian Justifications
India has reason for this act due to the linkage of the issue of water sharing to broader security-related issues. Indian officials have driven home the point that terrorism and cross-border infiltration would otherwise stand in the way of it exercising its rights fully as defined by this treaty. It only adds a newer, more provocative aspect to negotiations, though it only muddles an already complicated relationship between the two countries.
India states that increasing demand for water owing to its increasing population and agricultural requirement is better than the status quo. The parties feel that the agreement prevailing is outdated and not capable of adjusting according to their development aim and, hence, that is why India decided to renegotiate terms, further elevating the tension between Pakistan.
Historical Context and Future Implications
This is because co-operation between India and Pakistan regarding the water resources they share is unique. However, recent development may force them to think again about their commitment towards the treaty. Changes in environmental conditions, population growth, and related issues demand urgent water management.
The reflection of this on-going tussle over water-sharing is deep-seated and reflects the deeper geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. This bilateral relationship has, at historical times, broken down in controversy, and water resources have always formed a central issue in such controversies. Therefore, this situation will go on to set precedents for future negotiations over water-sharing agreements not only in South Asia but also in other regions facing similar problems.
Recently, India issued a notice to Pakistan calling for both countries to reassess the Indus Waters Treaty in the light of the change in environmental and security factors. Since these two nations have used the Indus Waters Treaty as their guiding instrument for decades, the issues that come from it require constructive dialogue from both sides. An equitable and sustainable solution is also required to make the effective system for water management a reality for both the populations.
FAQs
Q: What is the Indus Waters Treaty?
A: The Indus Waters Treaty is a treaty between India and Pakistan for sharing the waters of the Indus River system. Which was originally established 64 years ago.
Q: What are India’s reasons for seeking a review of the treaty?
A: India believes that population, agriculture, and environmental changes that have taken place since 1960 require re-balancing the distribution of water between the two countries.
Q: Which projects are the problem?
A: The Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower schemes in Jammu and Kashmir are the main bones of contention as Pakistan feels these schemes will deprive them of sufficient water supply.
Q: Can Pakistan participate in the Indian projects?
A: It had protested these ventures under the Indus Waters Treaty and approached the international arbitration to settle the issue .
Q: What is the Permanent Court of Arbitration role?
A: The PCA is one international court that helps to settle the issue “Indus waters treaty” between any country. It ruled the case under its purview in favor of Pakistan and allowed the dispute over water usage to continue into the courts.
Simply stated, the level of debates over the Indus Waters Treaty encompasses not only important issues of water resource management but also critical bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. It behooves both countries to maneuver carefully around the challenges so they do not ignite fresh conflict and perpetuate sustainable use of water for their populations.
