The Hydropolitics of the Indus Waters Treaty: A Critical Perspective

Abstract

This paper discusses the hydro politics of the Indus Waters Treaty from a critical perspective. Many analysts and commentators from both India and Pakistan expressed displeasure with the treaty on the grounds of allotting more waters to the contending party. The Indian side is displeased with 'restricted' rights on western rights, whereas the Pakistani side laments the Indian rights on the western rivers as detrimental to its water security. Neutral experts consider the Indus Waters Treaty as an instance of successful water dispute resolution. However, the treaty's failure to account for future implications of the climate change for water supply and surging population for water demand as well as the absence of the other co-riparians of China and Afghanistan from the treaty and its failure to hardwire enough safeguards to ensure Kashmiri's needs are met from the waters add to the stresses and strains in the Indus Waters Treaty.