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Relevance: GS-II (International Relations); GS-III (Environment, Water Resources) Source: Strategic & Bilateral Updates, 2026

1 · What is the news in simple words?

India and Pakistan share river waters under the historic 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Recently, India placed treaty meetings in abeyance (on hold) following a terror attack, asserting that “blood and water cannot flow together.” In response, Pakistani leaders have aggressively raised the issue globally, even threatening war over water security.

Beyond cross-border terrorism, India argues that the 60-year-old treaty is now outdated. India’s population has exploded, and climate change is reducing water levels. Furthermore, Pakistan uses the treaty’s rules to constantly block India’s legitimate hydroelectric projects. India is now taking a firm stand to fully utilize its legal share of the river waters while demanding a review of this obsolete agreement.

2 · The Core Dispute

Step 1: The 1960 Division
The treaty divided the rivers. India got the Eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), while Pakistan got the Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab).
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Step 2: Changing Realities
Sixty years later, India faces massive demographic pressure and climate change, requiring more water for drinking, farming, and clean energy.
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Step 3: Constant Obstruction
India is allowed to build limited “run-of-the-river” projects on the Western rivers. However, Pakistan objects to virtually every single Indian project to delay them.
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Step 4: India’s Firm Pivot
India is now accelerating its dam projects to secure its energy needs, refusing to let an outdated treaty and cross-border terrorism stall its development.

3 · Key Hydrological Concepts

Run-of-the-River Projects
Allowed on Western Rivers
These hydroelectric projects generate power using the natural flow of the river without creating massive storage reservoirs. India has the legal right to build these on the Western rivers.
Outdated Engineering
The Silt Problem
The 1960 treaty restricts modern dam technology. Because Pakistan objected to modern “flushing” techniques, Indian dams like the Salal Project filled completely with silt and mud!
Pakistan’s Mismanagement
Blaming India for Internal Flaws
Pakistan blames India for water shortages. However, their own National Water Policy admits that 35 Million Acre Feet of water is wasted into the Arabian Sea yearly due to aging, leaking canals.
Ujh Multipurpose Project
Reclaiming Our Share
Located on a tributary of the Ravi (an Eastern river), this project will finally allow India to use its own unutilized waters that were previously flowing into Pakistan unchecked.

UPSC Prelims Quick Facts
Treaty Broker The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in Karachi in 1960 and was brokered by the World Bank.
Chenab Basin Projects Major Indian hydroelectric projects currently under construction on the Chenab river include Pakal Dul, Ratle, Kiru, Kwar, and Sawalkot.
Eastern vs. Western Eastern (India): Ravi, Beas, Sutlej.
Western (Pakistan): Indus, Jhelum, Chenab.
PIC The Permanent Indus Commission is the bilateral body consisting of officials from both countries created to implement and manage the treaty.

MCQ Practice Question
Q. With reference to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960, consider the following statements:

  1. The waters of the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers are allocated to India for unrestricted use.
  2. India is strictly prohibited from building any form of hydroelectric power projects on the Western Rivers.
  3. The Pakal Dul and Ratle hydroelectric projects are located in the Chenab river basin.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only    (b) 1 and 3 only    (c) 2 and 3 only    (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

  • Statement 1 — Correct: Under the treaty, the waters of the three Eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) are allocated entirely to India.
  • Statement 2 — Incorrect (the trap): India is NOT prohibited! While the Western rivers are allocated to Pakistan, India has the specific legal right to build limited “run-of-the-river” hydroelectric projects on them.
  • Statement 3 — Correct: Pakal Dul, Ratle, Kiru, and Kwar are critical ongoing Indian hydroelectric projects located on the Chenab river in Jammu & Kashmir.
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