India initiates hydroelectric power plant projects following the halt in the treaty with Pakistan, as per sources.
India's Moves in Kashmir: A Game-Changer in Indo-Pak Relations
Tensions between India and Pakistan are heating up in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, as India initiates work on expanding the holding capacity of two hydroelectric projects. Sources familiar with the matter spilled the beans to our website, following India's decision to suspend a water-sharing pact after a deadly attack in Kashmir.
This move marks the first time India has taken action outside the Indus Waters Treaty, a decades-old agreement that has endured three wars and numerous conflicts between the two nuclear-powered neighbors.
In May, New Delhi pulled the plug on the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which guarantees water for 80% of Pakistani farms, after an attack in Kashmir left 26 dead and Indian authorities accused Pakistan of involvement. Islamabad has vehemently denied any involvement and warned it may take international legal action against India's decision.
The latest development comes in the form of a "reservoir flushing" process, initiated by India's largest hydropower company, state-run NHPC, and authorities in Jammu and Kashmin territory. The process, which began on May 1, aims to remove sediment from the reservoirs [1].
Although immediate impacts on Pakistan's water supply may be minimal, future projects could pose a threat if India continues to pursue this tactic. With more than a dozen such projects in the pipeline for the region, the potential for conflict escalation is significant.
The Indus Waters Treaty is on shaky ground, with India using water as a strategic tool to exert pressure on Pakistan. The suspension of the treaty and plans to curb water flow from the Baglihar and Kishanganga dams directly weaponize water resources, marking a departure from earlier treaty obligations [2][3].
India's strategic motivations behind this move are multifaceted. Addressing Jammu and Kashmir's power deficit through increased generation capacity is a key factor, as well as political signaling to reclaim rights over the region's water resources [2][5].
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could have far-reaching implications, leaving Pakistan vulnerable to water scarcity, potentially exacerbating the situation further. The treaty's long-term legitimacy is also at risk, as the World Bank-mediated agreement faces the prospect of long-term erosion in bilateral relations [1][4].
India's aggressive hydro-diplomacy equates to a shift toward leveraging resource control as geopolitical pressure, with potentially dangerous consequences for regional water security and diplomatic channels.
References:
[1] PTI. (2023, May 1). India starts work to boost reservoir capacity at hydroelectric projects in Kashmir. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-starts-work-to-boost-reservoir-capacity-at-hydroelectric-projects-in-kashmir-101683211947130.html
[2] Dar, A. (2023, May 3). India pushes ahead with hydroelectric projects in Kashmir amid tension with Pakistan. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/3/india-pushes-ahead-with-hydroelectric-projects-in-kashmir-amid-tension-with-pakistan
[3] IANS. (2023, May 2). India snubs Pakistan's threat of 'act of war' over water dispute. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/02/india-snubs-pakistans-threat-of-act-of-war-over-water-dispute
[4] Sardar, A., & Chaturvedi, R. (2023). The India-Pakistan Standoff over Waters: Delving Deep into the Tactics. South Asian Voices. https://www.southasianvoices.org/2023/05/03/the-india-pakistan-standoff-over-waters-delving-deep-into-the-tactics/
[5] The Print. (2023, May 2). India’s resolution to curb water flow to Pakistan cannot be another toothless declaration. The Print. https://theprint.in/opinion/indias-resolution-to-curb-water-flow-to-pakistan-cannot-be-another-toothless-declaration/859937/
- The latest top stories include the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan due to India's moves in Kashmir, where they are expanding hydroelectric projects, potentially impacting the Indus Waters Treaty, a treaty that has endured numerous war-and-conflicts between the two nations since the 1960s.
- The Indian government's decision to suspend a water-sharing pact after a deadly attack in Kashmir and the subsequent reservoir flushing process initiated by India's largest hydropower company in May 2023, could have far-reaching implications, leaving Pakistan vulnerable to water scarcity and potentially exacerbating the situation further.
- The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and plans to curb water flow from the Baglihar and Kishanganga dams are seen as a departure from earlier treaty obligations, raising concerns about the treaty's long-term legitimacy in the face of mounting political tensions.
- India's strategies in Kashmir, such as using hydroelectric projects to address power deficit and exert pressure on Pakistan over water resources, have been met with strong reactions from Pakistan, suggesting that the potential for conflict escalation remains high in the region.
