An enduring agreement bridging India-Pakistan ties

News: Recently, the 118th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) comprising the Indus Commissioners of India and Pakistan was held on May 30-31, 2022 in New Delhi,

About the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)

It is a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan that was established in 1960. It makes arrangements to use water in the Indus and its tributaries.

About Treaty

It was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960. It was negotiated by the World Bank.

The treaty establishes a cooperative mechanism for exchanging information between the two countries. It is regarding the use of the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) allocated to Pakistan and the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) allocated to India.

It allows each country to use the rivers allocated to the other for certain purposes such as irrigation and hydroelectricity.

The Permanent Indus Commission oversees the cooperative mechanism. It ensures that the two countries meet annually to discuss myriad issues emerging from the treaty.

What are the challenges in implementation of the treaty?

India-Pakistan relations are mired by the high politics resulting in a political stalemate between the two countries.

Both countries have objected to the technical design features of one or the other hydroelectric projects.

– For example, although India is permitted to construct hydroelectric power facilities on the western rivers, but Pakistan has objected to the Kishanganga and Ratle plants located on the tributaries of the Jhelum and the Chenab, respectively

Similarly, Pakistan raised objections on the construction and technical designs of the Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai hydropower plants located on Marusudar river, a tributary of the Chenab.

Similarly, India has raised concerns on Pakistan’s blockade of the Fazilka drain, which resulted in water contamination in the border areas.

To resolve differences over Kishanganga and Ratle HEP plants, Pakistan approached the World Bank to facilitate the setting up of a court of arbitration, and India requested the appointment of a Neutral Expert on the settlement of differences and dispute of the treaty. Therefore, the World Bank appointed both a neutral expert and a chairman for the court of arbitration. However, an acceptable solution has not been found.

Achievements of the TWT

Notwithstanding the differences, both countries have so far endeavoured to amicably address all such issues. Both sides have assured to implement the treaty in letter and spirit.

The treaty is an illustration of a long-standing engagement between the conflicting nations that has stood the vagaries of time.

It has withstood tensions, including conflict, providing a framework for cooperation.

The treaty is considered one of the oldest and the most effective examples of water management cooperation in the region and the world. For example, 118th bilateral meeting corroborates its effectiveness.

Way Forward

Potential for cooperation

The treaty can help to tackle the challenges of climate change. India & Pakistan can undertake joint research on the rivers to study the impact of climate change for ‘future cooperation’.

The treaty offers great potential for cooperation, development, ensuring peace and stability in the subcontinent

The Treaty can be a reference point to resolve other water-related issues in the region through regular dialogue and interaction.

Source: The post is based on an article “An enduring agreement bridging India-Pakistan ties” published in the “The Hindu” on 10^th June 2022.