India puts pressure on Pakistan over water treaty – can it lead to better ties?

New Delhi wants the Indus Waters Treaty to be amended to help its grain-producing regions cope better with climate change, analysts say

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A man looks at a swollen River Beas following heavy rains in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India, last year. Photo: AP

Published: 7:13pm, 7 Oct 2024Updated: 7:20pm, 7 Oct 2024

India’s push for Pakistan to review a long-standing bilateral water treaty is seen by analysts as a move to ease the adverse impact on its grain-producing regions due to climate change and put pressure on Islamabad to curb cross-border militancy.

The Indus Waters Treaty between the two countries was signed in 1960 and facilitated by the World Bank. India controls the Beas, Ravi and Sutlej rivers, while Pakistan oversees the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum rivers under the treaty.

India also allows waters from the three rivers under its control to flow from its territory to Pakistan, subject to conditions such as the building of hydroelectric projects.

Having withstood four India-Pakistan wars, the treaty is facing a new challenge, with New Delhi wanting a reassessment of its terms and Islamabad objecting to certain Indian hydroelectric projects.

Analysts say Delhi believes Islamabad was given a significantly larger share of the river waters without factoring in India’s large population. Delhi’s position has also hardened over a recent surge in violence in Indian-administered Kashmir, which it has blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

Last month, India sent a formal notice to Pakistan calling for a review of the treaty, following up on a similar demand it issued to Islamabad last year.