India's Indus Waters Treaty Review: Understanding the Context

Overview of India's Request for Treaty Review

In 2024, India formally requested a review of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), originally established in 1960. This request marks a significant shift in the dialogue surrounding water management in the region.

Reasons for Seeking a Review

India's rationale for this request encompasses several critical factors:

• Population Growth: Since 1960, India's population has surged from 436 million to 1.4 billion, while Pakistan's has increased from 46 million to 240 million.
• Environmental Concerns: Issues such as rapid glacier melt, climate change impacts, groundwater depletion, and increasing water pollution are significant.
• Energy Needs: The rising demand for clean energy has prompted India to expand hydropower projects, which are essential for meeting emission targets.

Specific Environmental Challenges

India's concerns are rooted in various environmental challenges:

• Himalayan Glacier Melt: Glaciers, responsible for 60-70% of Indus summer flows, are rapidly shrinking, losing around 8 billion tons of ice each year.
• Groundwater Stress: Currently, about 48% of water usage in the basin relies on groundwater, which the treaty does not regulate.
• Water Pollution: Fertilizers, pesticides, and untreated industrial waste are deteriorating water quality, impacting agriculture and public health.

Impact of Clean Energy Development

India's push for clean energy has influenced its stance on the treaty. The country is investing in hydropower to reduce carbon emissions and achieve climate objectives. However, large-scale projects, particularly those on the Chenab River, have led to disputes that the current treaty framework does not adequately address.

Insufficiencies in Current Treaty Mechanisms

Despite the treaty's provisions for dispute resolution through Indus Commissioners, Neutral Experts, and the Court of Arbitration, India argues that these mechanisms are insufficient against modern challenges such as climate change and demographic shifts.

India's Differentiated Approach

India's recent approach emphasizes that merely referring issues to Indus Commissioners is inadequate. It insists that Pakistan must show willingness to renegotiate the treaty to adapt to contemporary realities.

Broader Goals of the Review

India's objectives in seeking a review include:

• Ensuring equitable and sustainable water use in light of climate changes.
• Integrating groundwater management and pollution control into overall basin governance.
• Facilitating clean energy generation while preserving river flows.
• Creating modern and adaptable cooperation mechanisms to respond effectively to environmental emergencies.

Pakistan's Response

In response to India's review request, Pakistan has referred the issue to the Indus Commissioners, viewing it as part of the existing dispute resolution process. However, India maintains that this does not constitute a genuine willingness to renegotiate the treaty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When did India request a review of the Indus Waters Treaty?
Answer: India formally requested a review of the Indus Waters Treaty in 2024, citing significant changes in circumstances since its inception in 1960.

Q2. What are the key environmental issues mentioned by India?
Answer: India highlighted issues such as glacier melt, groundwater depletion, and water pollution as critical environmental concerns affecting water management.

Q3. How does India's energy need relate to the treaty review?
Answer: India's increasing demand for clean energy through hydropower projects raises disputes under the treaty, which was not designed to accommodate such large-scale energy needs.

Q4. What is Pakistan's stance on India's review request?
Answer: Pakistan has referred the matter to the Indus Commissioners, treating it as part of the existing dispute resolution process rather than a formal renegotiation.

Q5. What are India's broader goals in seeking a review?
Answer: India aims to ensure sustainable water use, improve groundwater management, facilitate clean energy production, and create responsive cooperation mechanisms.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: When did India formally request a review of the Indus Waters Treaty?
A) 1960
B) 2020
C) 2024
D) 2022
Correct Answer: C

Question 2: What is a major environmental concern cited by India regarding the Indus Waters Treaty?
A) Urbanization
B) Glacier melt
C) Industrialization
D) Deforestation
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: How much of the Indus summer flows do Himalayan glaciers supply?
A) 30-40%
B) 60-70%
C) 40-50%
D) 70-80%
Correct Answer: B

Question 4: What percentage of basin water use currently depends on groundwater?
A) 30%
B) 40%
C) 48%
D) 60%
Correct Answer: C