The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed on September 19, 1960, is a binding international accord facilitated by the World Bank. It emerged from a decade of negotiations aimed at establishing defined and obligatory rights for the management of the Indus River System. The treaty was not an act of kindness from India nor a concession to Pakistan. It instead provided certainty and stability.
Under the treaty, India was given unrestricted access to three Eastern Rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Meanwhile, Pakistan was granted rights over the Western Rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, with a comprehensive legal framework to ensure water security. Pakistan adapted its irrigation system to the new arrangements by investing in extensive replacement works.
Some have inaccurately labeled the treaty unfair, ignoring the balanced approach and historical negotiation conditions. Limitations set on India’s use of the Western Rivers stem from natural hydrological circumstances and are crucial for the lower riparian state’s water security.
The claim that Pakistan obstructs India’s hydropower efforts is misguided. The IWT allows India to build run-of-river hydroelectric plants on Western Rivers, provided specific design and operational criteria are met. Pakistan’s use of the dispute-settlement mechanisms in Article IX safeguards its rights within the treaty’s framework. These actions are part of the implemented agreement, not treaty abuse.
The Court of Arbitration confirms the treaty’s ongoing validity and mandates adherence to its limitations, such as with the Supplemental Award of May 2026. Any political or security arguments unrelated to the treaty cannot justify breaching its binding provisions.
Legally, the IWT does not permit any unilateral suspension or termination by either party. Article XII stipulates that termination can occur only through a duly ratified agreement between both nations. Thus, India’s unilateral suspension announcement in April 2025 holds no legal basis, leaving the treaty operational.
For over sixty years, the IWT has provided a structure for managing a vital transboundary river system. This framework stands not on goodwill, but on replacing unilateral discretion with binding rules and dispute resolution procedures.
Abandoning the treaty risks regional stability. Pakistan is dedicated to the treaty’s full implementation and urges India to comply. Treaty obligations must be respected, ensuring water security for 250 million Pakistanis and maintaining peace in South Asia.
Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States since August 2024, presents his views on this situation. They reflect his own perspective.
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