For the first time since it was signed, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) — a water-sharing agreement with Pakistan that has lasted over 60 years, surviving wars and tensions.
Why Did India Suspend the Treaty?
India took this step one day after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed by Pakistani terrorists. India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, said the treaty would be suspended until Pakistan stops supporting terrorism across the border.
This suspension was part of several strong actions by India, including:
- Shutting down the Attari border post
- Cancelling visas for Pakistanis
- Expelling Pakistani officials from India
But suspending the IWT could have the biggest long-term impact.
What Is the Indus Waters Treaty?
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 after years of talks between India and Pakistan. It splits the Indus River system as follows:
- India gets unrestricted use of the Eastern Rivers: Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi
- Pakistan gets water from the Western Rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab
Why Is This Decision So Important?
By suspending the treaty, India gets more control over how it uses water from the Indus rivers. According to a former Indian official:
- India can stop sharing river data with Pakistan
- India can build reservoirs on Western Rivers
- No more Pakistani visits to Indian hydropower projects
- India can carry out reservoir flushing, improving dam lifespan
However, India currently lacks infrastructure to block or divert water from Pakistan immediately — so there won’t be a big impact on Pakistan’s water supply right away.
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Can Pakistan Take Legal Action?
The treaty doesn’t allow either country to cancel it alone, and it has no expiry date. Changes must be agreed upon by both India and Pakistan.
There is a dispute resolution system:
- Start with the Indus Commission
- Go to a Neutral Expert
- If needed, move to arbitration
However, some experts say this process might not help if India no longer follows the treaty. Also, Pakistan cannot take India to the International Court of Justice because of India’s legal protections.
Past Disagreements over the Treaty
India and Pakistan have argued over two hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir:
- Kishenganga Project on the Jhelum River
- Ratle Project on the Chenab River
Both are run-of-the-river projects (they don’t block water), but Pakistan says they break the treaty’s rules.
India sent two notices to Pakistan — in January 2023 and September 2024 — asking to review and modify the treaty. This showed India’s growing frustration and interest in possibly rewriting or ending the agreement.
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Recently, a Neutral Expert appointed by the World Bank agreed to examine the issue and hold discussions. Pakistan argued the disputes were outside his authority, while India said they weren’t — and the Expert decided he could look into them.
