Indus waters, What is the treaty?

By Dr Ashraf Chohan
Chairman PMLN UK
Chief Editor Daily Rapid Lahore

The Indus Waters Treaty is a landmark water-sharing agreement signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank, to manage and allocate the waters of the Indus River system, which both countries rely on heavily for agriculture and livelihoods.

Key Features of the Treaty:

   •   Rivers Covered: The Indus River system has six major rivers:

      •   Western Rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – allocated to Pakistan

      •   Eastern Rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej – allocated to India

   •   Usage Rights:

      •   India was granted exclusive rights to use the waters of the eastern rivers.

      •   Pakistan was given exclusive rights to the western rivers, but India was allowed limited non-consumptive uses (like irrigation, hydropower, and navigation) under certain restrictions.

   •   Supervision and Dispute Resolution:

      •   A Permanent Indus Commission was established with representatives from both countries to oversee the implementation.

      •   The treaty outlines mechanisms for resolving disputes, ranging from bilateral talks to third-party arbitration (such as through the World Bank or an international court).

Why It’s Important:

   •   Despite three wars and ongoing tensions, the treaty has largely remained intact, considered a rare example of cooperation between the two nations.

   •   It is often cited as one of the most successful transboundary water management agreements in the world.