Indus Water Treaty - 1960

Indus water treaty, 1960

• Indus river basin - 6 rivers
  • eastern - ravi, beas, sutlej - india - RBS
  • western - indus, chenab, jhelum - pak - CJI
• World Bank mediator
• Mandated to establish a permanent Indus Commission
• Treaty does not have a unilateral exit provision

Dispute Resolution Mechanism - 3 steps

• Commission level
• Approach World Bank to appoint a neutral expert
• Can be referred to a court of arbitration

Pakistan's Past Objections

• Pakistan objections to Kishanganga’s hydro electricity project, 2018
  • Kishanganga - tributary of Jhelum
  • 2010 - Pakistan went to International court of arbitration
  • 2013 - final ruling of the court, India allowed to with some conditions
  • Pakistan approached World Bank in 2016, 2018
  • Project inaugurated in 2018
• Pakistan objected Salal dam project, 1970 - ended in 1978
• Opposed Baglihar hydropower project in 2000s on Chenab river.

Uri attack, 2016 - PM Modi - “Blood and Water cannot flow simultaneously”

• 2019 - Pulwama attack

Dams over the Indus and its tributaries

• Salal Dam - Chenab river