India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan
After the Pahalgam attack by terrorists, India decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan.
The decision was taken by India’s Cabinet Committee on Security, citing Pakistan's support for cross-border terrorism.
The IWT was signed in 1960 and has no exit clause; unilateral abrogation isn't allowed under the treaty.
Legal and International Implications
India is not a party to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT), which some argue could be used to revoke the IWT.
Pakistan may raise the issue through international legal bodies like the World Bank, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, or the International Court of Justice.
Internationalising the water dispute could escalate tensions between India and Pakistan and further complicate diplomatic relations.
Impact on Water Flow and Pakistan's Agriculture
India can stop sharing water data with Pakistan, withhold water during dry periods, or release it during monsoons, impacting Pakistan’s water supply.
The Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers are crucial for Pakistan’s agriculture and hydroelectric power, and disruptions could worsen internal water disputes in Pakistan, particularly between Punjab and Sindh.
India’s infrastructure projects on the western rivers aim to utilize India’s share of water but lack the capacity to store large volumes.
Regional and Diplomatic Concerns
The suspension of the IWT could affect India’s relations with neighboring countries, particularly China, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
China, as the upper riparian of many Indian rivers, might use this move to justify withholding water data or other hydro agreements with India.
The decision could also affect India’s water-sharing agreements with Bangladesh and Nepal, potentially leading to regional instability.
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