Q. 18 Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.12.5 Answer: The Indus Waters Treaty is a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan. It was brokered by the World Bank in 1960. According to the treaty, India is given control over the three “eastern” rivers the Beas, the Ravi and the Sutlej, while control over the three “western” rivets- the Indus, the Chenab and the Jhelum belongs to Pakistan. Currently India-Pakistan relations are marred by cross border terrorism issues. It makes the river sharing agreement critical. Pakistan’s rivers first flow through India. The treaty allowed India to use them for irrigation, transport and power generation, while laying down precise regulations for Indian building projects along the way. More controversial are the provisions on how the waters were to be shared. Ecological disturbance in the flow of water by India can create problem in Pakistan. As a result, Pakistani farmers and industry may lose source of water, causing a great loss. The Treaty can be a potential tool with India to use against Pakistan if India decides so.
It is sometimes argued that since the rivers originate in the Indus basin in India, there is possibility of India creating droughts and famines in Pakistan, especially at times of war. But since the ratification of the treaty in 1960, India and Pakistan have not engaged in any water wars. However, disagreements and disputes have been settled via legal procedures, provided for within the framework of the treaty.
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