India To Divert Excess Water under Indus Treaty

Source : Live Mint
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Overview

1. Key Facts
2. What is the Indus Treaty 1960

Why in the News?

Excess water flowing to Pakistan was to be stopped and diverted for irrigating its own land under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.

Key Facts

• India’s plans to fully utilize its share of water under the treaty.
• Also the strategic importance against the backdrop of China developing the controversial China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in the region.
• Currently, three rivers of the Indus system there flowing water remain untapped because of geographical adversities and flows into Pakistan.
• India is working on stage two of the plan for its diversion and preparing its Detailed Project Report.
• What is the challenge to divert?
  • Ravi River enters and exits Pakistan’s territory 17 times.
  • It crisscrosses at most of the places Ravi is the line of division between the two countries and makes it difficult to tap the benefits.

What is the Indus Treaty 1960

• Indus Waters Treaty, a treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, between India and Pakistan with the supervision of the World Bank.
• The treaty fixed and delimited the rights and obligations of both countries concerning the use of the waters of the Indus River system.

Key provisions and features of the Indus Waters Treaty include

• Rivers Covered
  • The treaty primarily deals with the waters of six major rivers in the Indus basin: the Indus River, Jhelum River, Chenab River, Ravi River, Beas River, and Sutlej River.
• Distribution
  • The treaty allocates the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi) for exclusive use by India, while the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) are allocated for exclusive use by Pakistan.
• Use of Western Rivers by India
  • India is allowed to use the waters of the western rivers for specific purposes, such as domestic and non-consumptive uses (e.g., navigation), as outlined in the treaty.
• Provisions for Data Exchange and Communication
  • The treaty established a Permanent Indus Commission, with commissioners from both India and Pakistan, to facilitate the exchange of data and information regarding river flows and the implementation of the treaty.
• Dispute Resolution Mechanism
  • The treaty includes provisions for resolving disputes that may arise regarding its interpretation or implementation.
  • Disputes can be referred to a Neutral Expert or a Court of Arbitration, as outlined in the treaty.
• Financial Assistance
  • The World Bank played a significant role in financing various water infrastructure projects in both India and Pakistan to support the efficient utilization of the allocated waters.
• Long-Term Agreement
  • The treaty was designed to be a long-term agreement and has withstood multiple conflicts and tensions between India and Pakistan.

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