The data show that from the total water of the Indo River basin, 80 percent flow to Pakistan through the western rivers, while only 20 percent flow through the eastern rivers. | Photo credit: Moorthy RV
What is the Water Treaty of the Indo (IWT)?
IWT was signed in 1960 with Pakistan on the use of waters of the Indo Ríos System. The treaty extends to the main rivers of the Indo Basin, that is, Setlej, Beas, Ravi (Eastern rivers) and Jhelum, Chenab and Indus (Western rivers), including its tributaries and subtributos and other bodies of water. All the waters of the eastern rivers were assigned to India for their useless use, while India has the obligation to let all the waters of the western rivers flow, they sell the national uses, not submergery and of another type allowed in the treaty. After signing the treaty, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru appeared before Parliament and declared: “We bought an agreement, if you wish; we bought peace in that sense and it is good for both countries.”
Why has the IWT been suspended after all these years?
That peace, bought at a cost, hero in fragile hands, has supported decades of fire and fury. The IWT resisted the fire of the wars of 1965 and 1971, Kargil’s icy heights, the tremors after the 2001 Parliament’s attack, the horror of 11/26 in Mumbai, and a wave after wave of terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. In spite of everything, India never broke the treaty, the respite of the delicate balance she maintained never lacked. Like the upper riverside, India had the weight of responsibility, silently, firmly. But with the blood of tourists spilled once again in Jammu and Kashmir, the tide has changed. The movement of India to suspend the IWT brands not only a break in a long-standing commitment, but the opening of a new and dangerous front in the Indo-Pakistan conflict.
Amit Ranjan, a researcher at the Institute of Studies in South Asia, said the National University of Singapore Business line That the current position of the Indian government almost indicates a movement towards the end of the IWT, since Pakistan is less likely that he satisfactorily meets the conditions established by India. While India has refrained from using the term “abrogation”, Ranjan said it is a movement towards that direction, and it is likely that the implications are the same unless the government decides otherwise.
How important is the water from these rivers to Pakistan?
The data show that from the total water of the Indo River basin, 80 percent flow to Pakistan through the western rivers, while only 20 percent flow through the eastern rivers. In Pakistan, water has been increasingly political, and leaders link it to the conflict of Kashmir.
Will the water flow to Pakistan be affected?
“Although India has announced the suspension of the IWT, it currently lacks large infrastructure necessary to divert water and the prevention of flowing to Pakistan. The construction of such a large -scale infrastructure will take Ranjan.” Ranjan also emphasized that any water detour from the Western rivers would have a significant impact on Pakistan, which is already dealing with a situation of water stress. He pointed out that the World Bank is part of specific articles and annexes of the IWT. In current circumstances, Pakistan has limited political and legal options. Ranjan stressed that despite the complaints of both countries, the IWT has been considered one of the most successful treaties among adverse countries.
What will be the impact of the suspension on Pakistan?
Naseer Memon, Islamabad Baseed Expert on Water Government and Climate Change Said, “Pakistan is notable to an any immediate seriously Owever, Owever, Owever, Owever. It is done of their things that do everything possible.
Posted on April 24, 2025
