India has sent Pakistan a formal notice seeking a review in the crucial Indus Water Treaty, arguing reassessment and negotiations of the pact over “fundamental and unforeseen” changes.
A report by PTI quoted government sources as saying that the notice to Pakistan was issued on August 30 under Article XII(3) of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
As per sources to News18, India, in the notice issued to Pakistan, stated that it was not feasible to maintain the same treaty in today’s scenario and needed to be reassessed.
The sources further said that several concerns highlighted by the Indian side included environmental issues, change in population demographics, and the need to accelerate the development of clean energy to meet India’s emission targets.
India and Pakistan signed the Indus Water Treaty on September 19, 1960, after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory of the pact.
The notice sent to Pakistan by India highlighted that a one-sided water treaty had been there since it was signed. India also cited the impact of persistent cross-border terrorism and how Pakistan was taking undue advantage of Indian generosity, as one of the reasons for demanding a review.
“The notification was issued in the background of a separate prolonged controversy with respect to the Kishanganga and Ratle hydro projects,” a PTI report quoted the source as saying.
“In this regard, the World Bank has simultaneously activated both the neutral-expert mechanism and the Court of Arbitration on the same set of issues,” the source further said.
“The Indian side has, therefore, also called for a reconsideration of the dispute-resolution mechanism under the treaty,” the source added.
As per a report by ToI, in January 2023, a notice was sent by India to Pakistan seeking an amendment to the treaty. It was issued due to Pakistan’s failure to cooperate in the implementation of the treaty.
What is Indus Water Treaty
The Indus Water Treaty is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan. It governs the use of waters of six rivers – Indus, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej – originating in India and flowing into Pakistan.
As per the treaty waters of the eastern rivers – Ravi, Beas, Sutlej – amounting to around 33 million acre-feet (MAF) annually is allocated to India for unrestricted use, while the majority of the water from the western rivers, – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – which amounts to approximately 135 MAF annually, has been allocated to Pakistan.
As per the treaty, India can generate hydroelectricity through run-of-the-river projects on the western rivers. However, these are subject to operation criteria and design. Pakistan on its part can raise objections to the design created by the Indian hydroelectric projects.
As per the treaty, Pakistan received approximately 80 per cent of the water in the Indus drainage system. As for India, the country uses more than 90 per cent of Indus water’s share allocated to it.
India has the right to use water resources from the Indus River system in several states, including Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. While these states receive water from the Yamuna river as well, Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus system. Whenever India tries to utilise its allocated water quota or construct a dam as per the treaty, Pakistan raises objections. This is one of the major causes of tension between the two neighbouring countries.
With inputs from agencies.
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