The Indus Water Treaty of 1960 resolved the water issues between India and Pakistan. World Bank has been the mediator between the agreements made by both countries. Both countries have fought for the rights of the Indus Waters that flow through India and end in Pakistan.
This agreement between the countries fixed the resources for irrigation in northern parts of India. We have provided in detailed explanation of the agreement made by the disputed countries.
Indus River Story:
The Indus River originates in the southwestern Tibet region of China and flows through Kashmir to merge into the Arabian Sea after flowing through Pakistan. This Indus River has a sub-river of the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and Beas rivers. This river water was mainly used for irrigation until British rule in India. After the Britishers invaded India, they started to build canal systems for other purposes. After India got Independence in 1947 this caused India to split into India and West Pakistan. The split caused the river system to divide between both countries.
David Lilienthal’s Meeting:
In 1948 India negotiated with Pakistan to provide water on buyback through yearly payments. However, Pakistan has been looking for a permanent solution that became a reality after David Lilienthal’s suggestions who was the Head of Tennessee Valley Authority and U.S Atomic Energy Commission. He suggested developing the Indus water river system with the support of the World Bank in advising and Financing The president of the World Bank in 1948 Eugene Black also supported the idea and with his support, the engineers from both countries held a meeting.
Indus Water Treaty of 1960:
These meetings were unable to decide the resolution due to top political pressures and in 1954 World Bank submitted a resolution to both countries. Then after 6 years of negotiations PM of India “Jawaharlal Nehru” and the President of Pakistan “Mohammad Ayub Khan” both signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960. This treaty provided the rights of the eastern river to India while Pakistan had rights over western rivers.
- Eastern rivers – Ravi, Sutlej and Beas
- Western rivers – Indus, Jhelum and Chenab
This treaty also provided funds for constructing dams, barrages, and canals on western rivers for support. World Bank provided the maximum amount of funding along with a commission to look after the treaty. This commission will be taking care of the treaty in all the possible ways and support to avoid clashes and disputes between the countries. The commission was named as Indus Commission by the World Bank.
Conclusion:
Whatever decision is made by either country should follow the terms as per the commission without violating the waters. In 2017 India completed building the Kishanganga dam in Kashmir along with a Hydroelectric power station on the Chenab River even after Pakistan’s objection however Indus Commission has provided the clearance as there are no violations regarding the treaty.
Now India has stopped the flow of Ravi water to Pakistan permanently as the Shahpur Khand barrage is ready. As we all know India has all the rights on the Ravi river, so it has stopped the flow to Pakistan as Pakistan has no right over this river flow.
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