After the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government has taken a tough decision against Pakistan. One of the important decisions is the cancellation of the Indus Water Treaty. This decision of the government is likely to have a big impact on Pakistan.
What is the Indus Treaty
The Indus Water Treaty was signed on 19 September 1960 in Karachi by the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and the President of Pakistan Ayub Khan. This agreement was signed at that time regarding the sharing of water of six rivers. According to the agreement, the three rivers of India in the eastern part take the water of the Beas, Ravi and Sutlej.
According to a similar agreement, most of the water of the three rivers in the western part – Indus, Chenab and Jhelum – is given to Pakistan. Under the agreement, India can use only 20 percent of the water of the Indus River system (Indus, Chenab and Jhelum). India and Pakistan can use this water for domestic purposes such as hydroelectricity and irrigation. Under the agreement, India can store 3.6 million or 3.6 million acre feet of water in the western rivers for various purposes.
Why is Pakistan worried about the rejection of the agreement?
Pakistan has said that it is worried that these projects will hinder the availability of water from the Chenab and Jhelum. However, India has so far rejected Pakistan’s criticism. Under the agreement, any dispute can first be heard by a commissioner appointed by the two parties and if they fail to resolve the differences, then by an independent expert appointed by the World Bank.
Pakistan’s treaty violation Pakistan first sought an independent expert and then withdrew, seeking a decision from the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a global dispute resolution body based in The Hague. India has refused to accept the jurisdiction of the PCA. India argues that Pakistan has violated the treaty’s provisions for resolving disputes. Against that backdrop, India has now said that there is a need to revisit the treaty in light of increasing population and climate pressures.