India halts Indus river water supply towards Pakistan.
In a bitter twist, India has pulled the plug on the Baglihar dam on the Chenab River and plans to follow suit at the Kishanganga dam on the Jhelum, sending shockwaves through the subcontinent. A trusted insider spilled the beans to PTI about India's audacious move.
These hydroelectric stations, situated in Jammu (Baglihar) and north Kashmir (Kishanganga), give India the upper hand in controlling the timing of water release. A contentious issue between India and Pakistan, the dams have been a bone of contention for decades. Islamabad has escalated the matter of the Baglihar dam to the World Bank's arbitration court, while the Kishanganga dam is a thorny issue due to its potential impact on the Nilum River's flow on Pakistani territory.
The Nilum, a tributary of the Jhelum River, winds its way through both India and Pakistan before joining the Chenab. The Chenab, in turn, is the right tributary of the Sutlej River, the largest tributary of the Indus.
The Dangerous Dance of Water and Politics
A fresh crisis has reared its ugly head between India and Pakistan in April, with the tragic terrorist attack in the town of Pahalgam serving as the catalyst. Located in the Anantnag district of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, this disputed territory is long-claimed by Pakistan. Armed militants launched a deadly assault on tourists, killing 26 people and injuring many more. The "Resistance Front," an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization "Lashkar-e-Taiba" (banned in Russia), claimed responsibility for the attack.
In retaliation, Indian authorities have taken a hard line against Pakistan. Most notably, they've suspended the Indus Water Treaty – a move New Delhi has never taken, not even during open conflicts with Islamabad. Signed in 1960, the treaty, mediated by the World Bank, regulates the distribution of waters from the Indus River Basin, dividing rivers into eastern and western groups. Pakistan controls the western rivers (Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum), while India has the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi).
Pakistan has hit back with its own measures. Their authorities have warned that any attempt by India to stop the flow of the Indus will be considered an act of war, as the country's water supply and energy sector heavily rely on the stability of the water supply.
According to The Tribune India, India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty does not mean an immediate stop in water supply to Pakistan. However, New Delhi's actions have introduced a significant element of uncertainty into Pakistan's water security. Experts believe Pakistan might not face significant consequences for at least the next 30-50 years. But, India's newfound freedom to explore ways to harness the waters of western rivers, possibly implement water storage or diversion projects, has left Pakistan guessing.
The Indus Water Treaty: A Changing Landscape
A Historical Overview
The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, is a pioneering agreement between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank, to manage the distribution of water from the Indus River Basin. The river system is divided into two groups: the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) and the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi). Pakistan receives the western rivers, while India has control over the eastern rivers. However, India is allowed limited irrigation use and unlimited non-consumptive use, such as power generation and navigation, of the western rivers[1].
The West vs East: A Game of Water and Power
The rivers originating in Kashmir, such as the Jhelum and Chenab, are part of the western rivers allocated primarily to Pakistan. Nevertheless, India is permitted to use these rivers for limited purposes without significantly reducing the flow to Pakistan. This includes developing run-of-river dams, allowing for temporary adjustments in water flow[5].
The New Normal: A Shift in Power Dynamics?
Recent tensions, including military conflicts and terrorist attacks, have put a strain on relations between India and Pakistan. India's intentions to assert control over the treaty could impact Pakistan's water security, introducing significant uncertainties[4][5]. Economic and environmental implications could be vast, potentially affecting farming and industry sectors reliant on water[3][5].
In this tough terrain of politics and power, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and every drop of water matters. As the game of water continues to unfold, stakeholders on both sides anxiously await the next move, bracing for the impact on their water security and way of life.
- India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, a historic agreement governing the distribution of water from the Indus River Basin, could lead to significant uncertainties in Pakistan's water security.
- The General-News has reported that Pakistan considers any attempt by India to stop the flow of the Indus River as an act of war, given the heavy reliance of Pakistan's water supply and energy sector on the Indus.
- The Chenab River, a tributary of the Sutlej which is the largest tributary of the Indus, has been at the center of dispute between India and Pakistan due to India's plans to develop hydroelectric stations at Baglihar and Kishanganga dams.
- The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization "Lashkar-e-Taiba," claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, a disputed territory, which escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.
