The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan with the mediation of the World Bank, has remained resilient even in the face of wars and longstanding animosity. The treaty regulates the sharing of waters from the six rivers of the Indus River System. But with increasing geopolitical tensions, especially post the Pulwama attack in 2019, the question crops up again and again — Can India lawfully cut off water to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty?
Here in this blog, we dive into the details of the treaty, India’s rights, and what is really feasible under international law.
🌊 Making sense of the Indus Waters Treaty
The Indus Waters Treaty allocates the six rivers of the Indus Basin in the following manner:
Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej): Distributed to India.
Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab): Distributed to Pakistan, but India can utilize them in limited measures.
According to this arrangement:
India received sole rights to utilize the eastern rivers.
Pakistan received rights over the greater volume western rivers, which constitute approximately 80% of the water.
✅ What India Can and Cannot Do
Let’s simplify it.
✅ What India Can Do:
Full Utilization of Eastern Rivers:
India is free to utilize the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej waters without restrictions. Indeed, much of this water actually reaches Pakistan unused because of infrastructure constraints on the Indian side. India plans to construct dams and canals to fully exploit this share.
Run-of-the-River Projects on Western Rivers:
India is permitted to build non-storage hydroelectric schemes on the western rivers (such as Kishanganga and Ratle), provided they don’t divert or hinder the flow substantially.
Irrigation & Domestic Use on Western Rivers:
India may have “non-consumptive” purposes of irrigation, navigation, and power generation on western rivers, subject to certain technical guidelines.
❌ What India Cannot Do:
Block or Divert Western Rivers:
India cannot shut off or indefinitely divert water from the Indus, Jhelum, or Chenab — that would be a treaty breach.
Store Excessive Water:
Large storage dams on western rivers are prohibited. India has to follow strict design and operational specifications approved under the treaty.
⚖️ Is Stopping Water a Workable Diplomatic Tool?
Whenever Indo-Pak relations deteriorate, voices in India usually call for revocation or strong action under the Indus Waters Treaty. In 2019, following the Pulwama terror attack, India declared it would cease the unused share of eastern rivers from flowing to Pakistan.
However, ceasing the flow of western rivers, as recommended by some, may result in:
Violation of International Law
Collapse of the Treaty
Worldwide condemnation and UN intervention
A potential escalation to armed conflict
Thus, while the proposition sounds good in emotional terms, but legally and diplomatically it is extremely dangerous.
🏗️ What India Is Doing Instead
India has turned its attention to obtaining its full legal water entitlement through:
Shahpur Kandi Dam (over Ravi)
Ujh Multipurpose Project (over a tributary of Ravi)
Canal systems being rejuvenated to minimize wastage
Western river hydropower projects at Kishanganga, Ratle, and Pakal Dul
These efforts are directed towards enhancing the water security of India without violating the treaty.
🧠 Conclusion: Power in Restraint
The Indus Waters Treaty has been universally acclaimed as a model of cooperation on water. While India enjoys predominance over the eastern rivers and restricted rights on the western ones, it simply cannot throttle water flow to Pakistan completely. What India can do — and is doing — is tactically use its rights, maximize water utilization, and achieve geopolitical leverage within legal limits.
In a time of water scarcity and climate change, the breach of such a critical treaty could open perilous precedents. Hence, astute diplomacy and maximum use of our quota are India’s best weapons under the Indus Waters Treaty regime.