India seeks review of Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan

In a major strategic move made keeping in mind the changed reality of time, India has sought modification and review of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.

According to reports, India, on August 30, 2024, sent a formal notice to Pakistan.

Under Article XII (3) of the treaty, its provisions may from time to time be modified by a duly ratified Treaty concluded for that purpose between the two nations.

A number of developments have taken place ever since the pact was signed in 1960, and this has led India to make the move, they said.

The Indian document underlines the fundamental and unforeseen changes in circumstances that require a reassessment of obligations under various Articles of the agreement.

India’s concerns

 They say three specific concerns – altered population demographics, coupled with connected agricultural and other uses of the waters, the need to accelerate the development of clean energy to meet India’s emission targets and the impact of persistent cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir that has undermined full utilization of India’s rights, have been emphasized to drive home the point that the 1960 agreement is no longer tenable.

Some believe that the Indian Government’s decision reflects both its irritation on Pakistan’s attitude on the Indus waters sharing and a growing anger in the country at the continued cross-border terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, there have also been persistent demands for reviewing the pact in Jammu and Kashmir, where people feel that their rights were given away without any consultations.

The history of the agreement  

The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 is a water-distribution agreement between India and Pakistan. It was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960 by the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and President of Pakistan Mohammad Ayub Khan.

The treaty resolved a dispute between the two countries over how to use water for irrigation. 

The treaty allocates the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers to Pakistan, and the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers to India.