A major strategic step that showed more of their rising annoyance with the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, India served notice to Pakistan on August 30, 2024, that seeks alteration in the treaty. This action is provided for under Article XII (3) of the Treaty, which provides that the Treaty may be modified by a treaty ratified between the two Governments.
India’s worries are due to certain changes that have occurred since the Treaty was created more than half a century ago. The notification defines basic and contingent changes in circumstances, which require revision of the Treaty compliance obligations. Three primary issues have been emphasized:
Initially, there was a significant change in population density that was in proportion to the agricultural and other water requirements plan. Due to the increase in the population of India, there is pressure on the quantity of water resources that exist, thereby making it necessary to look for a way of sharing it fairly.
Second, there is pressure on India to increase the pace of clean energy development so that it can follow the set emission targets. This demand for an efficient supply of electricity to sustain our society requires reconsideration of the current water-sharing provisions that are provided under the Treaty.
Third, cross-border terrorism, especially in the region of Jammu and Kashmir, has continued to pose a major challenge that has derailed the effectiveness of the Treaty and distortion of India’s usage right relating to water.
They build on existing disagreements regarding the Ratle and Kishenganga hydel projects. Indian officials argue that Pakistan has consistently hindered efforts for the Indian side while profiting from the gestures of goodwill stipulated in the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty. Adding to this complexity, the World Bank will apply both the Neutral Expert and, at the same time, the Court of Arbitration, which has led to some frustration in Indian circles.
Besides, the recent message from the Indian government indicates new aspects which imply that the mechanism for dispute settlement within the Treaty needs revision. Some analysts opine that this is due to India’s annoyance with Pakistan’s failure to address water-sharing concerns, besides getting more and more furious.
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