Pakistan Shows Willingness to Talk About Indus Waters Treaty

A Shift in Stance: Pakistan Agrees to Discuss Indus Waters Treaty

For the first time, Pakistan has signaled its willingness to discuss India’s concerns regarding the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). This comes after India placed the treaty in abeyance in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2023.

Syed Ali Murtaza, Pakistan’s Water Resources Secretary, reportedly offered to discuss the specific terms India objects to. However, he questioned the basis of India’s decision, pointing out that the treaty itself lacks an exit clause.

A History of Tension

This development is significant because despite two previous notices from India in 2023 requesting a review and modification of the IWT, Pakistan had not explicitly agreed to discuss the treaty’s terms.

India has long sought to utilize the waters of the Indus River system for its own development projects, including building dams and reservoirs for power generation. Pakistan, on the other hand, views any changes to the existing water-sharing arrangements as a threat to its own water security.

India’s Stance Remains Firm

India’s decision to suspend the IWT came after the Pahalgam attack, which it blamed on Pakistani-backed terrorists. India maintains that the treaty can only be revived if Pakistan takes concrete steps to curb cross-border terrorism.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated this stance, stating that India will keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abandons its support for cross-border terrorism. He also highlighted the impact of climate change, demographic shifts, and technological advancements on the need to revisit the treaty.

Negotiations on the Horizon?

While Pakistan’s willingness to discuss the treaty is a positive step, it remains unclear what form these negotiations will take. India has indicated that it wants a bilateral process, excluding any third-party involvement. This means that the World Bank, which currently plays a role in resolving disputes under the IWT, would not be involved in any revisions.

India is also likely to push for a clearer and more structured dispute-resolution mechanism. Currently, the treaty has two forums for resolving disputes, which can lead to confusion and delays.

The Indus Waters Treaty: A Legacy of Cooperation and Conflict

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 after years of negotiations, is a landmark agreement that governs the sharing of the Indus River waters between India and Pakistan. The treaty has been credited with preventing major water-related conflicts between the two South Asian neighbors.

However, tensions have arisen over the years regarding the interpretation and implementation of certain provisions of the treaty. The recent developments highlight the ongoing challenges in managing this vital shared resource.