In a major geopolitical development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that India would not restore the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, announcing that the water flowing in Pakistan would bend for internal use. The statement came during an interview with the Times of India on Saturday and symbolizes a significant change in India’s decades-old water-sharing policy.
Treaty in the treaty
India had already kept their participation in the “sanctuary” in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty after a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir, killing 26 civilians. The Government of India blamed Pakistan-based groups responsible for the attack, forming it as a cross-border act of terror that reduces bilateral confidence and cooperation.
The decision to formally move away from the treaty indicates hardening India’s attitude towards Islamabad, especially in view of the security and constant stress on water rights.
What is Indus Water Treaty?
In 1960 by the World Bank, the Indus Water Treaty is one of the most permanent water-sharing agreements globally. This allocated the water of six rivers in the Indus river system between the two countries:
India maintained control over Eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlees)
Pakistan was guaranteed access to Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab)
Importantly, these three western rivers provide about 80% of Pakistan’s irrigation water, supporting millions of acres of fields.
Domestic turn schemes
According to Shah, India will drain water from western rivers – which is monotonously uncontrolled in Pakistan – to serve agriculture and industrial needs in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and other northern states.
