Why India wants' review & modification' of Indus Water Treaty

• India has once again issued a formal notice to Pakistan seeking the "review and modification" of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
• This recent move suggests India’s intent to renegotiate or even revoke certain aspects of the 64-year-old treaty, citing "fundamental and unforeseen changes in circumstances".
• It includes demographic shifts, environmental concerns, the need to develop clean energy and cross-border terrorism.

Background

• The IWT, signed in 1960 by India and Pakistan, governs the use of water from the Indus and its tributaries.
• India controls the eastern rivers (Beas, Ravi, Sutlej), while Pakistan controls the western rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum).
• India is obligated to let the western rivers flow to Pakistan under the treaty.

The Controversy

• India and Pakistan have been in dispute over two hydropower projects in Jammu & Kashmir viz. the Kishanganga and Ratle projects.
• Pakistan argues that these projects violate the IWT, even though they are "run-of-the-river" projects.
  • "run-of-the-river" projects generate electricity without obstructing river flow.

Dispute Settlement

• Pakistan had requested a Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) to address its objections.
• India pushed for a Neutral Expert under the treaty’s graded dispute resolution mechanism.
  • India believes that the PCA's involvement contravenes the treaty.
• Both processes were initiated by the World Bank in 2022, leading to India issuing its first notice for treaty modification in 2023.

Prelims Takeaway

• Indus Water Treaty
• Indus River