India sends notice to Pakistan, demands Indus Water Treaty review
India has sent a formal notice to Pakistan, demanding a review of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT). The notice, issued on August 30, states that the treaty has been one-sided since its inception and requires reassessment. It also highlights ongoing terrorist activities from Pakistan as an indication that the country is exploiting India's generosity. This move follows a similar notice sent by India last year after Pakistan attempted to unilaterally alter dispute resolution procedures under the treaty.
India cites changes necessitating treaty review
The notice from India highlights fundamental and unforeseen changes that necessitate a reassessment of obligations under various articles of the treaty. Three specific concerns are emphasized: significantly altered population demographics with connected agricultural and other uses of the waters; the need to accelerate clean energy development to meet India's emission targets; and the impact of persistent cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir which has impeded smooth operations of the treaty and undermined full utilization of India's rights.
Controversy over hydropower projects sparks treaty review
The call for a treaty review follows a prolonged controversy over the handling of the Ratle and Kishenganga hydropower projects. Indian officials believe that Pakistan has been consistently obstructive about all projects on the Indian side, taking undue advantage of India's generosity under the IWT. The situation has been further complicated by the World Bank's decision to simultaneously activate both Neutral Expert mechanism and Court of Arbitration, defying all logic.
India expresses dissatisfaction with dispute resolution mechanism
In its latest communication, the Indian government has asserted that the dispute resolution mechanism of the treaty requires reconsideration. Experts suggest that this decision reflects India's frustration with Pakistan's obstinate attitude on Indus waters sharing and growing anger at continued cross-border terrorist attacks. There is a growing sentiment that the 1960 Treaty was concluded with an overly optimistic view of the Pakistan relationship, which subsequent events have shown to be deeply hostile toward India.
Calls for treaty review resonate in Jammu and Kashmir
Demands for a treaty review have also been persistent 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 that could be beneficiaries of more projects and new technologies. Sources confirmed that the modification notice was sent after extensive deliberations within the government, reflecting the determination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to rectify a historical mistake.
