Indus Waters Treaty: When Cooperation Came at a Cost | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

Daily News Summary

Get concise and efficient summaries of key articles from prominent newspapers. Our daily news digest ensures quick reading and easy understanding, helping you stay informed about important events and developments without spending hours going through full articles. Perfect for focused and timely updates.

News Summary

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Indus Waters Treaty: When Cooperation Came at a Cost

2 min read

Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) Disputes

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is often celebrated as a successful international water-sharing agreement. However, India's experience reveals a history of disputes, delays, and operational compromises.

The First Dispute: Salal Hydroelectric Project

  • The Salal hydroelectric project was the first major project under dispute, located on the Chenab River in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir.
  • In 1968, India submitted the project design to the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) for Pakistan’s review.
  • By 1978, India agreed to significant design modifications.
  • Completed in 1987, the project soon faced sedimentation issues, impairing its capacity to 57%.

Kishanganga and Ratle: Ongoing Disputes

  • The Kishanganga project, a 330 MW initiative launched in 2006, was the first to face arbitration at the Court of Arbitration (CoA).
  • Pakistan challenged India's water diversion from the Kishanganga (Neelum) River, leading to a CoA intervention in 2010.
  • The 2013 CoA ruling allowed the diversion but required minimum downstream flow to Pakistan.
  • Discontented, Pakistan sought further arbitration on the project's design in 2016.
  • Pakistan also objected to the 850 MW Ratle project in 2012, initiating World Bank proceedings in 2022.
  • India opposed this dual-track approach and issued notices to Pakistan in 2023 and 2024 seeking treaty modification.

Baglihar: World Bank Intervention

  • The Baglihar hydroelectric project (900 MW) on the Chenab faced objections from Pakistan in 1992, especially regarding gated spillways and storage capacities.
  • After awarding a construction contract in 1999, tensions escalated, leading to World Bank involvement in 2005.
  • A Neutral Expert, upheld India's design, including the contentious gated spillways, in 2007, resolving the dispute by 2010.
  • Tags :
  • Indus water treaty
Subscribe for Premium Features