9 April: India has rejected Pakistan’s claims that it is violating the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), a water-sharing agreement between the two countries that was signed in 1960 with the help of the World Bank.
Pakistan has accused India of building projects on the western rivers of the Indus system, which are allocated to Pakistan under the treaty, without its consent. Pakistan has also alleged that India is diverting water from these rivers to affect its agriculture and power generation.
However, India has maintained that its projects are in accordance with the treaty provisions, which allow India to use the western river waters for limited irrigation use and unlimited non-consumptive use such as power generation, navigation, fish culture, etc. India has also argued that its projects do not affect the water flow or quality of the rivers.
The IWT is considered one of the most successful water-sharing treaties in the world, as it has survived frequent tensions and conflicts between India and Pakistan. The treaty provides a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries through a Permanent Indus Commission, which has a commissioner from each country. The treaty also lays down detailed procedures for resolving any issues that may arise through a neutral expert or a court of arbitration.
The latest dispute between India and Pakistan over the IWT comes at a time when both countries are facing water scarcity and climate change challenges. Experts have suggested that both countries need to update and expand the scope of the treaty to address these issues and ensure sustainable and equitable use of the Indus system waters.