Archive · 20 Sep 2025
Indus Waters Treaty Faces Scrutiny Amidst Modern Challenges
The Indus Waters Treaty, an agreement from 1960 between India and Pakistan about sharing river water, is facing new challenges.
The treaty helped build dams and canals to share the water from the rivers.
But now, things like climate change, which is causing glaciers to melt, changing rain patterns, and a build up of silt in rivers make the treaty less effective.
The changing conditions require both countries to share information to best manage water resources to reduce problems.
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 to divide and regulate water use between India and Pakistan.
Climate change is accelerating glacier melt and changing rainfall in the Indus Basin.
Siltation is a growing crisis, reducing water storage capacity and increasing flood risks.
A senior fellow notes that data sharing is key to managing water resources in the modern era.
India-Pakistan relations and terror attacks have contributed to a strained relationship.
- Who
- India and Pakistan
- What
- Challenges facing the Indus Waters Treaty
- When
- Sixty-five years ago (treaty signed)
- Where
- Indus Basin
- Why
- Due to climate change, siltation, and political tensions
India
Pakistan
Treaty Value
India
The treaty, though valuable, needs to evolve to address current challenges. Focus on data sharing and current conditions.
Pakistan
The value of the treaty in the context of cross-border tensions and distrust, compounded by recent events and climate change, should be re-evaluated.
Shared Hydrological Data
India
Advocates for the continuous exchange of information.
Pakistan
May question the commitment from India towards the treaty as relations and recent incidents erode trust.
- Treaty Year
- 1960
- Signatories
- India and Pakistan
- Primary Goal
- Divide and manage Indus basin waters
- Key Issue Today
- Climate change and siltation
- Focus
- Data Sharing and Information Exchange
Sources
Indus Water Treaty Anniversary: How Pakistan’s Repeated Betrayals Forced India's Hand
Water From Suspended Indus Treaty With Pakistan May Come To Delhi, Other Parched States: Khattar
‘Lasting Cooperation Needs Trust, Not Terror’: India At UN After Pakistan Raises Indus Waters Treaty