India issued Pakistan an official notice on August 30, 2024, requesting a review and amendment of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. This action is a significant indication of India’s growing dissatisfaction with the treaty’s operation. Article XII (3) of the Treaty states that its provisions may be periodically amended by a properly approved Treaty reached between the two Governments for that purpose.
The concerns that have driven India to make this major move cover a range of developments since the conclusion of the Treaty in 1960. According to reliable sources, the Indian notification highlights fundamental and unforeseen changes in circumstances that require a reassessment of obligations under various Articles of the Treaty.
Three specific concerns have been emphasized to drive home the point that the 1960 understanding is no longer tenable. Sources said that the first was significantly altered population demographics, coupled with connected agricultural and other uses of the waters.
The second was the need to accelerate the development of clean energy to meet India’s emission targets. The third underlines the impact of persistent cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir which has impeded the smooth operations of the Treaty and undermined full utilization of India’s rights.
Controversy over management of Ratle and Kishenganga projects
These events follow a long-running debate over the management of the Ratle and Kishenganga hydroelectric plants. Indian authorities think Pakistan has been compulsively obstructive to all Indian initiatives and has exploited India’s goodwill under the Indus Waters Treaty.
The problem has gotten more convoluted since the World Bank defied logic by activating both the Neutral Expert procedure and the Court of Arbitration at the same time. It has also been reported that, in its most recent statement, the Indian government stated that the Treaty’s dispute settlement process needs to be reconsidered.
Experts point out that the Indian Government’s decision reflects both its irritation on Pakistan’s recalcitrant attitude on the Indus waters sharing and a growing anger at the continued cross-border terrorist attacks.
There has been a growing sentiment that the 1960 Treaty was concluded with an unduly rosy view of the Pakistan relationship. Subsequent events have however revealed a deep-seated animosity to India, most explicitly expressed in support for terrorism. Interestingly, there have also been persistent demands for reviewing the Treaty in Jammu and Kashmir, where popular opinion feels that their rights were given away without any consultations. The sentiments about water have also been strong in Punjab and Haryana which could be beneficiaries of more projects and new technologies.
Sources have confirmed that the modification notice has been sent after extensive deliberations within the Government. This is regarded as reflecting the determination of the Modi Government to set right a historical mistake.
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Source: HT
