Indus Waters Treaty: Govt focus on Chenab projects, renegotiation, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• India has placed the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) "in abeyance" following the Pahalgam terror attack.
• The government is accelerating the development of hydropower projects on the Chenab River, with a combined capacity exceeding 5,000 megawatts.
• India seeks renegotiation of the IWT, asserting that the six-decade-old pact has "outlived its utility" and requires a more balanced format.
• A key precondition for India to resume cooperation under the IWT is Pakistan ending cross-border terrorism.
• The Pahalgam terror attack, which prompted India's stance, occurred on April 22, 2025, resulting in the deaths of 26 people.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank acting as a mediator.
• Under the treaty, the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) are allocated for India's unrestricted use, while the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) are primarily for Pakistan.
• India is permitted to undertake non-consumptive uses, such as hydropower generation, on the Western Rivers.
• The Pahalgam attack was carried out by militants, with groups like The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claiming responsibility.
• Key hydropower projects being fast-tracked on the Chenab River include Pakal Dul, Ratle, Kiru, and Kwar, with an estimated total capacity of approximately 6,000 MW upon completion.
• The Permanent Indus Commission (PIC), established by the IWT, serves as a bilateral mechanism for cooperation and dispute resolution.
• The IWT does not contain a unilateral exit clause, meaning any amendments or modifications require mutual agreement between India and Pakistan.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Indus Waters Treaty (IWT): A water-distribution treaty signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank, governing the use of the Indus River system.
• Permanent Indus Commission (PIC): A bilateral body formed under the IWT with commissioners from both India and Pakistan to implement the treaty and resolve issues.
• Eastern Rivers: The Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers, whose waters are allocated to India for unrestricted use under the IWT.
• Western Rivers: The Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, primarily allocated to Pakistan, with India allowed limited non-consumptive uses like hydropower generation.