Pakistan Deputy PM accuses India of ‘weaponising water’, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• Pakistan's Deputy PM Ishaq Dar accused India of "weaponising water" by releasing water from dams without warning.
• Pakistan alleges the water release violates the Indus Water Treaty brokered by the World Bank in 1960.
• The accusation follows a letter from Pakistan's Foreign Ministry to New Delhi seeking clarification on irregular water releases from the Chenab River.
• Pakistan claims the water manipulation threatens livelihoods, food security, and economic stability, potentially triggering a humanitarian crisis.

Detailed Insights:

• The Indus Water Treaty allocates the eastern rivers (Ravi, Sutlej, Beas) to India and the western rivers (Jhelum, Chenab, Indus) to Pakistan.
• Pakistan alleges India is manipulating water flows during a critical agricultural cycle, impacting the country's food and economic security.
• Similar water releases in September reportedly worsened flooding in eastern Pakistan, devastating hundreds of villages.
• The relationship between India and Pakistan has historically been strained, with water disputes adding to existing tensions.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Indus Water Treaty: A 1960 agreement between India and Pakistan, facilitated by the World Bank, for water sharing.
• Weaponising Water: Using control over water resources as a means of exerting political or economic pressure.
• Water Security: The availability of a reliable and sustainable supply of water to meet the needs of a population.