INDUS WATER TREATY -
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
News: Indus Water Treaty: Pakistan
delegation in Jammu along with neutral experts to inspect two power projects
What's in the news?
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The visit of a member delegation from Pakistan has
once again put the spotlight on the Indus Water Treaty.
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This treaty was signed in 1960 between the Government of India
and the Government of Pakistan to
utilize the water of the Indus River System.
Key takeaways:
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Brokered by the World Bank, the Indus Water Treaty
allocates the use of the Indus River and its tributaries between the two
nations.
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Over the years, this treaty has been a critical
component in managing water resources and ensuring water-sharing cooperation
despite the strained relationship between India and Pakistan.
Indus Water Treaty:
●
The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is a landmark
agreement that was signed by then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President of Pakistan Ayub Khan in 1960.
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The World Bank played a crucial role in mediation
and is also a signatory to it.
Objective:
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The Indus Water Treaty aims to ensure the equitable and reasonable utilization of
the Indus River system by both India and Pakistan.
Features:
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It governs the utilization of the waters of the
Indus River system, which is one of the largest river basins in the world.
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It does not only distribute water from the Indus
and its tributaries but also allows both counties to use the other’s rivers for
specific purposes that require little or no water storage.
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For example, it permits small hydroelectric
projects, such as under-construction projects in the Chenab Valley region. Over
the years, this treaty has successfully managed water sharing between two
countries across cross-border rivers.
Indus Water Treaty
Rivers:
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The Indus Water Treaty divides the water of six major rivers that form the part of
the Indus drainage system.
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These rivers are the Indus and its tributaries
Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
Provisions of the
Treaty:
1. Rivers Demarcation:
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The three
western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan.
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The three
eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) are allocated to India.
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This division of the rivers was a crucial aspect of
the treaty, as it allowed both countries to develop and utilize the water
resources within their respective regions.
2. Dispute Resolution
Mechanism:
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The treaty establishes a Permanent Indus Commission, which serves as a bilateral mechanism
for the implementation of the treaty and the resolution of any disputes that
may arise.
3. Hydropower
Development:
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The treaty allows
both countries to construct hydropower projects on the allocated rivers,
subject to certain restrictions and prior notification requirements.
4. Flood Control:
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The treaty also includes provisions for the exchange of flood-related data and the
coordination of flood control measures between the two countries.
5. Conflict Prevention:
● The Indus Water Treaty has been instrumental in preventing water-related conflicts between India and Pakistan, even during periods of political tensions and military conflicts.