What Is the Indus Water Treaty? What Is Its History and Purpose?🔗

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The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is a water-sharing agreement signed between India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960, in Karachi. India's then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan's President Ayub Khan inked the deal, with the World Bank (then the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) mediating.

History: The 1947 partition split the Indus River Basin—Pakistan got the lower reaches, India the upper. Key irrigation headworks on the Ravi (Madhopur) and Sutlej (Ferozepur), vital for Pakistan, fell in India's territory, sparking water disputes. Tensions flared until the World Bank stepped in during the 1950s to broker a solution.

Purpose: The treaty aimed to fairly divide the waters of the Indus and its tributaries, ensuring both nations could meet irrigation, power generation, and other needs. It also sought to prevent future water conflicts, fostering stability in a volatile region.

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What Are the Main Provisions of the Indus Water Treaty? How Were the Rivers Divided?🔗

Key Provisions:

• River Division: The six rivers of the Indus system were split:

  • Eastern Rivers: India got full control of the Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej—no restrictions on use.
  • Western Rivers: Pakistan was assigned the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum, but India can tap them for limited purposes:
    • Non-Consumptive Use: Navigation, fishing, timber floating.
    • Domestic Use: Drinking, household needs.
    • Agricultural Use: Restricted irrigation.
    • Hydroelectric Power: Via "run-of-the-river" projects, not disrupting natural flow.

• Permanent Indus Commission: A joint body with one commissioner from each country monitors implementation and resolves disputes. It meets at least annually, alternating between India and Pakistan.

• Dispute Resolution: A three-tier system:

  1. Commission: First stop for talks.
  2. Neutral Expert: Appointed by the World Bank if the Commission fails.
  3. Court of Arbitration: Final escalation if needed.

What Types of Projects Can India Build on Western Rivers? What Are the Conditions?🔗

India can construct run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects on the Western Rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum), generating power without majorly altering flow.

Conditions:

• Designs must comply with treaty rules.
• India must share detailed project plans with Pakistan.
• Projects can't harm Pakistan's water rights or usage.
• Flood or drought risks for Pakistan must be avoided.

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What Have Been the Main Disputes Related to the Indus Water Treaty? What Issues Have Arisen Recently?🔗

Though widely seen as successful, the treaty has faced hiccups:

• Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project: On a Jhelum tributary (Neelum/Kishanganga), Pakistan objected, claiming reduced flow. In 2013, the Court of Arbitration ruled for India but imposed design tweaks.

• Ratle Hydroelectric Project: On the Chenab, Pakistan disputes the spillway gates' design, fearing flow disruption.

• Other Projects: Pakistan has flagged smaller Indian projects too.

• Climate Change: Melting glaciers and shifting rainfall threaten future water availability, testing the treaty's resilience.

• Technical Disputes: Interpretations of provisions clash—Pakistan worries India's projects cut its share; India insists they're treaty-compliant.

Recent Developments:

• India seeks amendments, arguing the 1960 terms don't match today's population and economic pressures.

• In January 2023, India issued a notice to Pakistan for revisions, citing Pakistan's lack of cooperation on Kishanganga and Ratle disputes.

• India accuses Pakistan of violating Article IX (dispute resolution) with unilateral moves.

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What Is the World Bank's Role in the Indus Water Treaty?🔗

The World Bank isn't a guarantor but a facilitator:

1. Mediation: It brokered the 1960 talks and signing.
2. Neutral Expert: Appoints one if the Commission stalls (e.g., Baglihar dispute, 2005).
3. Court of Arbitration: Names the chairman if disputes escalate (e.g., Kishanganga, 2010).
4. Funding: Provided financial aid for early treaty projects.

It doesn't enforce or monitor compliance—its role stops at enabling dialogue and neutral arbitration when called upon.

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