Pakistan Signals Willingness to Discuss Indus Waters Treaty with India
Pakistan has signalled readiness to discuss India's concerns regarding the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), weeks after New Delhi put the treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan's Water Resources Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza reportedly responded to India, urging reconsideration of the suspension and citing the dependence of millions on the treaty-regulated waters. This development indicates a potential diplomatic dialogue over the critical water-sharing agreement.
Unpacked:
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan. It allocates the use of the Indus River and its tributaries, ensuring each country receives water essential for millions of people. The treaty has survived multiple wars and is seen as a rare example of cooperation between the two nations.
India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which it attributes to Pakistan-based militants. Such suspensions are used as diplomatic pressure, signaling serious concerns over cross-border terrorism and seeking to compel Pakistan to take action against militant groups.
Past disputes under the Indus Waters Treaty have typically been resolved through the Permanent Indus Commission, which meets annually and provides a mechanism for consultation, data exchange, and conflict resolution. When disagreements persist, neutral experts or international arbitration, often with World Bank involvement, have been used to settle issues.
If the treaty remains suspended, millions in Pakistan could face water shortages, threatening agriculture, livelihoods, and regional stability. It would also heighten tensions between India and Pakistan, undermining decades of cooperation and potentially leading to further diplomatic or even security crises.