Article:
The Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) recently held its 117th meeting between India and Pakistan, discussing the exchange of hydrological and flood data. This was in line with the adherence to the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960. The meeting highlighted issues related to the treaty, its implementation, history, effects on India-Pakistan relations and several other key pillars.
Permanent Indus Commission and Recent Developments
The PIC, an outcome of the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, is a bilateral body comprising officials from both India and Pakistan. It aims to address issues arising out of the treaty’s implementation and manage its goals. The commission is required to meet at least once annually, rotating between India and Pakistan. Responsibilities of the commission include studying and reporting on water development problems, resolving disputes over water sharing, arranging technical visits to project sites and head works of rivers, and conducting general inspections every five years.
At the 117th meeting, the commission discussed various issues, including the contentious Fazilka drain. The Indian side assured that their projects were fully compliant with the treaty’s provisions, and Pakistan vowed to ensure the free flow of the Fazilka drain into the Sutlej River. The parties also discussed ongoing projects such as Pakal Dul, Kiru and Lower Kalnai.
The Indus Waters Treaty: History and Provisions
Signed by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then President of Pakistan, Ayub Khan, in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty emerged from a decade-long fact-finding, negotiation, and proposal process facilitated by the World Bank. The treaty led to the division of the six-river Indus system between India and Pakistan, granting Pakistan unrestricted use of the western rivers—Indus, Chenab and Jhelum—and India of the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.
The treaty provides a dispute resolution mechanism involving a Permanent Commission, inter-government negotiations, a Neutral Expert appointed by the World Bank, and, if necessary, a Court of Arbitration. It also stipulates design specifications for projects developed by India and allows Pakistan to raise objections if those do not comply.
Effects on India-Pakistan Relations
The Indus Waters Treaty has been a sore point during geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. Specific incidents, such as the Uri army camp attack in 2016 and the Pulwama suicide attack in 2019, saw India threatening to restrict Pakistan’s water supply from the Indus River System. However, restricting water supply would violate the treaty and requires high-level consideration. The treaty lacks a unilateral exit provision and only ceases to be effective if both countries ratify a mutually agreed replacement.
Selecting Members for the Bhakra Beas Management Board
In another separate development, the Central government decided to adopt a new criterion for selecting members of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). This board is responsible for managing the distribution of water from the Bhakra Nangal and Beas projects among the partner states.
Despite the many provisions of the treaty and the efforts of the PIC, disputes have continued over sharing of the Indus waters. As India and Pakistan grapple with the demands of increasing populations and changing climate patterns, the management and fair distribution of these critical water resources will continue to pose significant challenges.