The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a 65-year-old water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, has recently been put in abeyance by India following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. This move marks shift in the India-Pakistan relationship, making water sharing a critical and contentious issue alongside terrorism and the Kashmir conflict. The Treaty, long seen as a rare example of cooperation, now faces renewed challenges amid geopolitical tensions.
Background of the Indus Waters Treaty
The IWT was signed in 1960 to regulate the sharing of waters from six rivers of the Indus basin. It allocated about 80% of the water to Pakistan and 20% to India. This division was based on geography, terrain, and the natural flow of rivers rather than water volume. The Treaty was designed to ensure peace and cooperation despite the hostility between the two nations.
Different Motivations Behind the Treaty
India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, viewed the Treaty as a gesture of peace and magnanimity aimed at stabilising relations with Pakistan. He was willing to compromise on water to avoid conflict. Pakistan, on the other hand, saw the Treaty as a strategic tool to secure its water needs and maintain leverage over India, particularly because it was the lower riparian state dependent on the river flows.
Pakistan’s Water Insecurity and Strategic Concerns
Although Pakistan received the larger share of water, it has remained insecure about India’s control over the upper riparian region, Jammu and Kashmir, where the rivers originate. Pakistan’s objections often focus on India’s water projects in J&K. The Treaty’s dispute resolution mechanism has been used by Pakistan to delay Indian projects. Pakistan’s desire to control Kashmir is partly driven by concerns over water security.
Why the Treaty Survived Despite Conflicts
The IWT endured through wars and terrorist attacks because India, as the upper riparian state, bore the responsibility for maintaining minimum water flows and sharing data with Pakistan. This dynamic ensured that Pakistan’s downstream needs were protected. The Treaty’s success is largely attributed to India’s adherence to its obligations despite political tensions.
Current Developments and Future Prospects
India’s decision to put the Treaty in abeyance allows it to pursue water projects in J&K without Pakistani approval. India insists that any renegotiation must be bilateral, excluding third parties like the World Bank. Pakistan, lacking leverage, may seek to involve China and Afghanistan, which control parts of the Indus basin. India’s move signals a strategic use of its upper riparian position to counter Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism and assert control over water resources.
Impact on India-Pakistan Relations
Water sharing is now a central issue in the complex India-Pakistan relationship. The abeyance of the Treaty introduces uncertainty in river flows, which could disrupt Pakistan’s agriculture and economy. India’s stance reflects a broader strategy to pressure Pakistan into reconsidering its hostile policies. The future of the IWT remains uncertain, with potential for increased tensions or new negotiations.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the role of international water treaties like the Indus Waters Treaty in maintaining peace between neighbouring countries with conflicting interests.
- Explain the concept of upper riparian and lower riparian states and discuss its significance in transboundary water disputes with suitable examples.
- What are the strategic implications of water resource management in conflict zones? How can water security influence territorial disputes?
- With suitable examples, comment on the role of bilateral versus multilateral mechanisms in resolving cross-border environmental and resource conflicts.
