Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: In a major shift following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty—a key bilateral agreement that has governed water-sharing between India and Pakistan since 1960. Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Kushvinder Vohra, former Chairman of the Central Water Commission, outlined how this move could significantly impact Pakistan, both strategically and practically.
India No Longer Obligated to Share Data
“With the treaty placed in abeyance, India is no longer required to share critical hydrological data with Pakistan,” Vohra explained. This includes information on water storage levels and river flows, which has traditionally been shared to manage cross-border flood risks, especially during the monsoon season.
Impact on Flood Preparedness in Pakistan
“India can now withhold updates on flood situations within the Indus River System,” Vohra said. This could hinder Pakistan’s disaster preparedness during heavy rainfall or glacier-fed river surges, potentially increasing vulnerability to flash floods and infrastructure damage.
Possibility of Treaty Revocation
India, while having suspended the treaty, has not yet revoked it. However, Vohra indicated that if Pakistan continues its negative stance, formal withdrawal remains an option. “India is well within its rights to reconsider the treaty if circumstances warrant,” he added.
Increased Leverage Through Water Infrastructure Development
Meanwhile, India may accelerate construction of water storage and hydropower infrastructure on the Indus River System, particularly on the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—where India is allowed limited use under the original treaty. This could shift hydrological dynamics in the region over time.
Background of the Treaty
Signed on September 19, 1960, after nine years of negotiations and with the World Bank as guarantor, the Indus Waters Treaty divides control of six rivers between the two countries:
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India received rights to use waters from the eastern rivers: Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi (≈33 million acre-feet annually).
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Pakistan controls the western rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab (≈135 MAF annually), although India can build run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects with certain restrictions.
Under the treaty, Indus Commissioners from both sides must meet annually, but this process has been sporadic in recent years.
A Strategic Shift Post-Pahalgam
The suspension of the treaty is part of a broader Indian response to the Pakistan-backed terror attack in Kashmir, which also included shutting down the Attari-Wagah border, suspending visas, and revoking diplomatic protocols.
