Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), 1960

Overview

• Signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank.
• Governs the sharing and management of waters of the Indus River system.

River Allocation

• Eastern Rivers: Ravi, Beas, Sutlej → India (exclusive use).
• Western Rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab → Pakistan (India allowed limited use).

India’s Permitted Uses on Western Rivers

• Non-consumptive uses: navigation, fishing.
• Domestic and agricultural use (limited).
• Hydropower generation: run-of-the-river projects without large storage (subject to design constraints).

Institutional Mechanism

• Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) with commissioners from both countries for data sharing and dispute resolution.
• Dispute resolution ladder:
  1. PIC (technical issues)
  2. Neutral Expert (technical disputes)
  3. Court of Arbitration (legal disputes)

Significance

• One of the most durable water-sharing treaties, surviving wars and crises.
• Provides predictability and confidence-building between India and Pakistan.

Key Issues & Challenges

• Disputes over Indian hydropower projects (e.g., Baglihar, Kishanganga).
• Climate change impacts: glacier melt, variability of flows.
• Pakistan’s concerns over storage and flow regulation; India’s concerns over full utilisation of its rights.

India’s Position (Broad)

• Committed to the treaty but seeks maximum utilisation of its lawful entitlements.
• Emphasises treaty-compliant hydropower for clean energy and regional development.