INDUS WATER TREATY: ITS ROLE AND IMPORTANCE IN PEACE BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN

The Indus Tater Treaty (IWT) is a landmark agreement to share water which was signed in Karachi between India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960. This treaty was signed between Mohammad Ayub Khan, the president of Pakistan and Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India. This negotiation was made through the help of the World Bank. Eugene Black, the former president of the World Bank took this initiative, which is seen as one of the most successful treaty internationally.
This treaty was made for both countries to use the water of the Indus River and its tributaries. Western Rivers which include Indus, Jhelum and Chenab were allocated to Pakistan. On the other hand, Eastern Rivers which include Ravi, Sutlej and Beas were allocated to India but India was allowed to consume the water of Western Rivers for agricultural, domestic, generation of hydroelectric power one of the river projects and non-consumptive uses.
This was made to resolve disputes in the Indus River Basin and is respected by both countries despite conflicts. This arrangement was made to bring both countries together, development and better future of both countries. Through this treaty, both countries recognize the rights and obligations of each other and how to use water, which leads to collaboration, diplomacy, reliability, friendship and peaceful resolution between both countries and prevents water related conflicts, most conflicts have been settled through a legal framework which includes military conflicts too. This treaty maintained a stable and peaceful relationship between India and Pakistan which leads to long term stability and peace.
This landmark agreement can also be considered as a threat for Pakistan because Pakistan is located downslope of India, which gives India an advantage to cause floods in Pakistan especially if any conflicts are going on. India often threatens Pakistan by stopping the water leading to shortage of water or releasing more than its need causing floods, which can cause destruction which leads to the economic instability. Some of the examples of threats from India are that in 2016 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “blood and water cannot flow together” because of the Uri attacks. Again in 2019, an Indian prime minister called for suspending the water supply of Pakistan because of Balakot chaos. Again in 2016 PM Modi threatened. Ever since the treaty was signed, for the first time the treaty was suspended officially by India on 23rd April 2025 because of the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. When the water was suddenly released, it caused floods in Pakistan.
To conclude, Indus water treaty is a successful agreement that helped India and Pakistan share rivers peacefully despite conflicts. This treaty was respected by both countries which led to better relations between both countries. As Pakistan is downslope of India, it risks the Pakistan with floods if India misuses its control over water. Which Pakistan should make dams to save water and if India releases water then it doesn’t get floods but saves it. But, overall this symbol is leading cooperation between these two nations.