🧭 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT): An Overview

• Signed: September 19, 1960

• Parties: India and Pakistan

• Brokered by: World Bank

• Purpose: To allocate the use of the Indus River system's waters between the two countries.

🌊 Key Provisions

• Western Rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab allocated to Pakistan.

• Eastern Rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej allocated to India.

• India's Rights:

  • Unrestricted use of eastern rivers.

  • Limited use of western rivers for domestic, non-consumptive, and agricultural purposes, as well as for hydroelectric power generation under specified conditions.

📘 Significance

• Considered one of the most successful water-sharing agreements globally.

• Has withstood multiple conflicts between India and Pakistan, including wars in 1965, 1971, and 1999.​

📰 Recent Developments: Suspension of the IWT

🗓️ Timeline of Events

• April 22, 2025: A terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, results in the deaths of 26 civilians, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepalese national.

• April 23, 2025: India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) convenes and decides to suspend the IWT, citing Pakistan's alleged support for cross-border terrorism.

• April 24, 2025: India formally communicates the suspension to Pakistan, stating it will remain in effect until Pakistan ceases support for terrorism.​

🧾 India's Rationale

• India asserts that Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism undermines the spirit of the IWT.

• The suspension is portrayed as a strategic move to pressure Pakistan into taking concrete actions against terrorist groups operating from its territory.​

⚠️ Pakistan's Response

• Pakistan condemns the suspension, labeling it an "act of war."

• Warns of severe repercussions if India unilaterally alters water flows.

• Suspends the 1972 Simla Agreement and other bilateral engagements in retaliation.​

🌐 Implications of the Suspension

🔄 Bilateral Relations

• Marks a significant deterioration in India-Pakistan relations.

• Potential to escalate into broader conflicts if not managed diplomatically.​

💧 Water Security

• Pakistan's agriculture heavily relies on the Indus River system; any disruption could have dire consequences for its food and water security.

• India's suspension could be leveraged as a strategic tool in diplomatic negotiations.​

🌍 International Law and Mediation

• The World Bank, as a broker of the treaty, may be called upon to mediate.

• Raises questions about the sanctity of international agreements amidst geopolitical tensions.​

📝 UPSC Examination Relevance

📌 Prelims

• Understanding the historical context and provisions of the IWT.

• Awareness of recent geopolitical developments affecting international treaties.​

📌 Mains

• GS Paper II: India's neighborhood relations; the role of international institutions in bilateral treaties.

• GS Paper III: Internal security challenges; implications of cross-border terrorism on international agreements.​

📚 Conclusion

The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack signifies a pivotal moment in South Asian geopolitics. It underscores the intricate link between security concerns and international agreements. For UPSC aspirants, this development offers a rich case study on the interplay between diplomacy, security, and international law.

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