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| The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a water-sharing pact between India and Pakistan, was signed on September 19, 1960. |
According to a report by News 18, New Delhi has officially demanded a change to the IWT saying that current realities of the world make the treaty irrelevant to implement. That said, the notice served to Pakistan does not point towards the intend of leaving the treaty, but appears to reform it as per India’s perspective that the treaty is “lopsided” and therefore requires a fresh look.
The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 defines the sharing of waters of six rivers, that flows from India to Pakistan. According to the treaty, India has the rights over three eastern rivers namely Ravi, Beas and Sutlej while Pakistan is entitled for the rights over three western rivers namely Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. In this context, India gets approximately 20 percent of the total water of the Indus system and the remaining amount is share of Pakistan only.
Some security analysts of India have criticized the treaty on the basis of equity bearing in mind the fact that India has a huge population and requirements for water are on the rise. Some critics have complained that the treaty is unfavourable for India and puts India in a less favourable geographical position that at present and especially with the continuing political and military hostility between Indian and Pakistan. While some have suggested that India should have more water control over the western rivers particularly at time of tension or even hostility in relation to Pakistan. This development might not be beneficial in relations between the two countries especially if India insists on a change of status quo as it currently looks for a rerun.
