Significance of Indus Waters Treaty in Maintaining Peace Between Pakistan and India

The Indus Water Treaty which was signed in 1960 between Pakistan and India which was mediated by the World Bank remains a milestone in the history of peaceful cooperation between the two nations. Despite multiple wars and contentious political issues, this sharing agreement has stood fast over the time in a region where hostile action often comes in headlines. The Treaty is a rare example of mutual cooperation and dialogues. The Indus Waters Treaty is a unique example of how the shared resources can be used as tool for peacebuilding.
Background
The Indus River, one of the longest rivers of the world, originates from the Tibetan Plateau near Mount Kailash through India and Pakistan and empties into the Arabian Sea, flowing approximately 3180 kilometers. However, the Indus water had been the issue between India and Pakistan war of 1947. After an eight-year long negotiation led by World Bank, the treaty was signed in 1960 by then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and by then President of Pakistan Ayub Khan, and was named as Indus Water Treaty.
The Indus Water Treaty distributed the water between both nations. Moreover, the treaty partitioned the basin by allotting the unrestricted use of the eastern rivers – the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej – to India, and the three western rivers – the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum – to Pakistan. The Indus Water Treaty set a precedent of cooperation and collaboration, surviving three four wars and long-term rivalry, serving as unique example of cooperation and compromise.
Significance in Peacebuilding
The Indus water treaty has significantly contributed to long-term peace, cooperation, and collaboration between India and Pakistan despite going through four major wars and political tensions. The Indus water treaty has a significant role in preventing the water wars, contributing positively to their relations. The IWT provide a clear framework for water distribution, dispute resolution mechanisms like PIC and regular communication and data exchange. The IWT has blocked all the chances for war and disputes and successfully addressed the questions and issues accordingly leading to fair distribution of water. Therefore, the Indus water treaty has been proven to be rewarding in conflict prevention keeping in mind both the nations have nuclear warheads.
Challenges
However the treaty has been doing some remarkably better functions But It has faced significant challenges over time as well. The rising political issues, prominently after the Kargil war, Pulwama attack and the recent pahalgam attack in kashmir have threatened the cooperation. Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns over the India’s dam projects on the western rivers fearing the violations of the treaty. Climate change, water scarcity, and increasing demands domestically has also pressurized both countries.
Conclusion
The Indus Water Treaty stands as a pivotal framework in the complex web of water resources management and geopolitical relations between India and Pakistan. While contributing to conflict resolution, fostering cooperation and peacebuilding despite political tensions, wars and new challenges, the IWT remains a prominent example of how diplomacy and shared interests can overcome political issues and deep-rooted hostility. The six decades long, withstanding of the treaty not served or practiced in agreement regarding water. But it has worked as a symbol of peaceful agreement between two rival states. The stability of South Asia and the other regions of Asia depends on these two nuclear states and the treaty is one of the key reasons for the stability in such a conflict-prone region, and it is working like a backbone for the stability in the region.