Indus Waters Treaty (International Relations)
Indus Waters Treaty (International Relations)
Why In News:
Government sources have said that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) can no longer function in its present form and will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably ends its support for cross-border terrorism.
India has simultaneously accelerated hydropower development in the Chenab basin.
Source: The Indian Express, Page 1, 21 July 2026, 'Indus Water Treaty: Govt focus on Chenab projects, renegotiation'
Indus Waters Treaty
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed on 19 September 1960 between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank acting as a broker.
It emerged in the backdrop of water-sharing disputes following the Partition of 1947, which divided the Indus river system between the two newly formed nations.
The treaty establishes a framework for cooperation, data sharing, and management of waters from the Indus River system and its tributaries-Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Jhelum, and Chenab.
The treaty divides the six rivers between the two countries:
Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan, with limited non-consumptive uses (like navigation, agriculture, domestic use) permitted to India.
Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) are allocated to India for unrestricted use.
Approximately 80% of total water is allocated to Pakistan, while 20% remains with India.
Dispute Resolution Mechanism
The treaty provides a three-tier dispute resolution system:
Questions are first addressed at the level of the Permanent Indus Commission.
If unresolved, issues can be referred to a Neutral Expert appointed by the World Bank.
Further disputes may be taken to a Court of Arbitration.
Indus River and Its Tributaries
The Indus River originates near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet, in the Trans-Himalayan region and flows through Tibet, India, and Pakistan.
The river enters India through Ladakh, flows across Jammu and Kashmir, and then moves into Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region.
It continues southward across Pakistan before emptying into the sea.
Left-bank tributaries: Zaskar, Suru, Soan, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Panjnad.
Right-bank tributaries: Shyok, Gilgit, Hunza, Swat, Kurram, Gomal, and Kabul.