"Blood and water cannot flow simultaneously," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he chaired a review meeting of the 56-year old Indus Water Treaty. In a direct offensive to Pakistan, India has decided to suspend the meeting of the Indus Water Commission and look at new ways to use its share of water of rivers flowing into Pakistan.
The meet saw National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, the water resources secretary, and senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office in attendance. They noted that the meeting of Indus Water Commission can "only take place in atmosphere free of terror". Sources said India could possibly even consider walking out of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) if Pak does not rein in terrorists. India announced a series of actions on the treaty, considered "incredibly generous to Pakistan". Officials said the Indus commissioners will meet only in the absence of terrorism. They meet twice a year, and have met every year since 1960, when the treaty was signed.
Mostly welcomed, there are, however, people who argue that reviewing the treaty makes India look like an aggressive power unmindful of international obligations. But Modi sarkar may weigh international opinion, and has considered China doing the same to India.
Responding to the decision, Pak said it would approach the United Nations, if any adverse step is taken to violate the IWT. Pak Foriegn Affairs Advisor Sartaz Aziz said, "The international law states that India cannot unilaterally separate itself from the treaty. This Indian act can be taken as breach of international peace and hence, giving Pakistan a good reason to approach the UN Security Council." Ironically, it was Pak which sought to bring the treaty to international light, by threatening to take India to court over two hydro-electric projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indus Water treaty has been quite in the news lately. The water distribution deal signed by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan, in 1960, gave India control over eastern rivers Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej. While the treaty has certainly stood the test of time and endured the wars of 1965, 1971, and 1999, the topic has once again been opened for reflection.
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The main points to remember about the treaty are:
- The treaty, between India and Pakistan, was brokered by the World Bank.
- It directs how the river Indus, and its tributaries that pass through either countries will be utilised.
- A Permanent Indus Commission was set up as a bilateral commission to look over and manage the treaty. It solves disputes that arise over water sharing.
- As per the deal, Beas, Ravi and Sutlej are to be governed by India, while Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum go to Pakistan.
- Since Indus flows from India, it is allowed to use 20 per cent of its water for irrigation, power generation and transport purposes.
- Even though Indus originates from Tibet, China is not involved in the treaty. It still does hold the main hand.
- The treaty also provides arbitration mechanism to solve disputes amicably.
