Indus Water Treaty | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

India has notified Pakistan of its plans to revise the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which governs the management of cross-border rivers. This move came after Pakistan's actions violated the terms of the treaty and affected its implementation. The Indus Waters Treaty was negotiated for nine years by India and Pakistan and brokered by the World Bank, which is also a signatory. Under this agreement, India receives around 3.3 crore of 16.8 crore acre-feet of water in the Indus system. Currently, India utilizes slightly over 90% of its allotted share of Indus waters.

River Indus flowing in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Originating in the Tibetan Plateau near Lake Manasarovar, the Indus River is one of the longest rivers in Asia, measuring 3610 meters in length. It flows through Jammu and Kashmir and towards Gilgit-Baltistan and the Hindukush ranges before ultimately draining into the Arabian Sea at Rann of Kutch in Pakistan. The river passes through China's Tibet Autonomous Region, India, and Pakistan. Its tributaries include Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Zanskar, and Kabul.

• Countries and States Covered: The Indus River flows through various regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Tibet. It passes through China's Tibet Autonomous Region, India, and Pakistan.
• Civilizations and Empires Developed in the Region: The Indus River basin was home to the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the largest human habitations of the ancient world. It was later dominated by the Kushan Empire and the Persian Empire. Throughout history, the armies of Muhammad Bin Qasim, Mahmud of Ghazni, Babur, and others crossed the river and invaded the inner regions of Punjab and beyond.
• Economics: The river basin and canals in the region support agriculture and food production, and the constructed dams generate electricity.

Indus Water Treaty

• The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, is an agreement between India and Pakistan that distributes control over six rivers. The treaty allocated three "eastern" rivers to India and three "western" rivers to Pakistan, with India receiving approximately 20% of the total water from the Indus System of Rivers.
• The treaty also established a "Permanent Indus Commission" to exchange data and cooperate on matters related to the treaty. The treaty has been successful in settling disputes and avoiding water wars between India and Pakistan.

Reasons behind success of Indus Water Treaty

• The treaty's success can be attributed to several factors. First, the unequal sharing of waters, with Pakistan receiving around 80% of the Indus basin waters, is considered generous and unique in water-sharing pacts.
• Second, India is not allowed to build storage systems on the western rivers, which prevents it from altering the flow of water to Pakistan.
• Third, climate change is altering the basin's size and volume, which could potentially lead to renegotiation or termination of the treaty in the future.
• Finally, a recent report noted that canals in Punjab and Rajasthan were not maintained properly, resulting in more water being released downstream into Pakistan than its entitlement in the Eastern Rivers.

Scope for India under The Treaty

• India has the option to reduce water flow to Pakistan within the limits set by the Indus Water Treaty, allowing it to utilize up to 20% of the water sharing. However, violating the treaty is not advisable as it aims to minimize hostilities between India and Pakistan, and storing additional water would require significant infrastructure. Violations could also lead to China taking action, potentially blocking the flow of the Brahmaputra River to India, and may escalate terrorist activities from Pakistan.
• Given India's desire for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, it is important to uphold the treaty as it involves international bodies like the World Bank. Thus, safeguarding such treaties is crucial for India's global reputation and credibility.

Conclusion

The Indus Water Treaty has been in effect for many years and has proven successful in preventing water wars between India and Pakistan. However, India is now considering reviewing the Treaty due to the 2016 Uri attacks. If necessary, India could exert pressure on Pakistan by utilizing the maximum amount of water sharing allowed under the Treaty. It is important for both nations to maintain the provisions of the Treaty to prevent any potential conflicts.