Indus Water Treaty: India Serves Formal Notice To Pakistan Seeking Modification (image-X/ErikSolheim)
India served a formal notice to Pakistan on Wednesday seeking a review and modification of the Indus Water Treaty, according to reports. The notice reportedly highlighted fundamental changes in circumstances that require a review of the treaty.
Earlier, India sent a notice to Pakistan in January last year seeking an amendment to the 1960 treaty.
Read Also | Construction Of Chinese Heliport Near Arunachal Pradesh Raises Concerns
As per the Indus Waters Treaty signed between the two countries in 1960, the water of the eastern rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, which amounts to approximately 33 million acre feet (MAF) annually—is allocated to India for unrestricted use. Pakistan has been allocated the majority of the water from the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—the western rivers—which amounts to nearly 135 MAF.
Some of the concerns raised by India include a change in population demographics, environmental issues, and the need to speed up the development of clean energy to meet India’s emission targets, as per Deccan Herald. The impact of cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has also been cited as one of the reasons for seeking a review.
The developments come amid a controversy on handling the Ratle and Kishenganga hydroelectric or hydel projects. India believed that its neighbour has been consistently obstructive in projects on the Indian side and taken ‘undue advantage’ of India’s generosity under the treaty.
Read Also | “If We Want Our Democracy To Survive…”: Kharge On ‘One Nation, One Election’
Responding to the same, the World Bank activated the neutral expert mechanism and the Court of Arbitration. India called for a reconsideration of the dispute-resolution mechanism under the treaty, reported Deccan Herald.
