India-Pakistan Water

Dispute
 Lecture Outline

▪ Past Papers Questions

▪ Water Scenario in South Asia
▪ India Water Compulsion
▪ Pakistan Water Compulsion
▪ Water Dispute: Genesis and Current
Status
▪ India-Pakistan Water Dispute under
IWT
▪ Indian Hydro Projects on Western Rivers
▪ Prospects of Indian Hydro Terrorism
▪ Indian Hydro Terrorism: Impacts on
Pakistan
▪ Way Forward
▪ Research Links
Past Papers question Questions

• Evaluate the significance of water

conflict between India and
Pakistan in global perspective of
climate change. (CSS-2012)

• Evaluate the significance of water

conflict between India and
Pakistan in perspective of water
management projects in Indian
held Kashmir.(CSS-2014)
Water Scenario in South Asia
 Water Scenario in South Asia

▪ Global demand for fresh water has escalated

dramatically over the last few years due to:
▪ Rapid population growth
▪ Prevalent urbanization
▪ Extensive Industrialization

▪ Human well-being, food security, power

generation, sanitation, livelihoods, & economic
development are linked to availability and
usability of water.

▪ The South Asian rivers are of lifeline for over 1.7

billion people, the one quarter of the population ➢ According to an
of our planet.
estimate, by 2030, 60%
of world population
▪ The region only holds about 6.8 % of the world’s
water resources.The glacial melt, monsoon will be left with fresh
rainfall & underground water are the major water supply
source of fresh water.
Water Scenario in South Asia

▪ Himalayan glaciers constitute the largest

body of snow outside the polar region.

▪ Rising temperature is badly affecting the

glaciers melt in the Himalayas creating a
vicious cycle of extreme drought and flood
events.

▪ Rising temperature which will result in

losing 75% decrease of Himalayan glaciers
at the end of 21st century.

▪ The region has four major rivers basin:

Brahmaputra, Indus, Ganges and Meghna.
 Water Scenario in South Asia

▪ South Asian societies are basically agro-based

with 70 % of rural population dependent on
agriculture activities.

▪ Agriculture adds 40-50 % to GDP of South Asian

countries. Water is consumed in South Asia:
▪ 86 % of agriculture practices
▪ 8 % is consumed by industry
▪ 6 % is used of domestic consumption.

▪ South Asian region is under immense pressure

owing to inadequate water supply since last few
decades.

▪ Four major reasons of dearth of water in South

Asia: rapid urbanization, climatic changes,
population rise and growing industrialization.
Water Scenario in South Asia

▪ South Asian region symbolizes a complex

structure of transboundary water sharing
where most of rivers flow between more than
one countries.

▪ In South Asia, India and Pakistan are facing

the shortage of water. Upstream India is
dominantly seems as militarily and
economically better than downstream
Pakistan.

▪ Factors to make complex of water scarcity in

South Asia:
▪ Transboundary flow of rivers
▪ Mismanagement of water resources at
domestic level.
▪ Lack of joint framework to handle emerging
water disputes.
India Water Compulsion
 India Water Compulsion

▪ India is an emerging economy having growth rate

is 9% and energy needs have increased
immensely.

▪ India water availability is decreasing. It is

expected that by 2030 water shortage up to 50%
for India.

▪ India has only 4% of the world's

fresh water resources despite a population of over
1.3 billion people.

▪ Indian water demands will increase 22%in 2025

and 32% in 2050. India has 12 major river
systems.

▪ Water crisis in India has worsened in the due

to climate change, growing industrialization,
rising population and rapid urbanization.
India Water Compulsion

▪ India wants to maximum control of

river water resources to meet its
domestic water needs.

▪ India had built many dams on shared

rivers of South Asia since last 3
decades.
▪ Indian hydro power projects is a
major cause of water disputes with
its neighbours.

▪ Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal are

significantly affected by Indian hydro
projects.
Pakistan Water Compulsion
 Pakistan Water Compulsion
▪ Pakistan is the 5th the largest country in the world
with more than 220 million people.

▪ By 2025, Pakistan’s water demand could reach

274 million acre-feet while the supply of water
could remain at 191 million-acre-feet.

▪ The scarcity of water in Pakistan is increasing

rapidly. By 2025, Pakistan water shortage will
increase by 23.51%.

▪ Pakistan is dependent on the rain for its water

supply and Indus water and its tributaries.

▪ The Indus River is vital for Pakistan and the

foundation of the green economy including
environmental safeguard, agriculture, food
security, and hydropower generation. Indus basin
is the most water-stressed region in the world.
Pakistan Water Compulsion
▪ The agricultural sector is the most pressing
area due to water scarcity in country.

▪ Agriculture is the major sector of Pakistan

economy contributing 21% of its GDP. 70% of
Pakistan exports are also linked with
agriculture sector.

▪ Factors have contributed to water crisis in

Pakistan are population rise, climate change
and mishandling of the water resources.

▪ The plain of Punjab and Sindh are main areas

of food baskets. These plains are irrigated by
Indus river and its tributaries.

▪ Indian hydro projects are main cause of

shortage of water in Pakistan.
Water Dispute: Genesis and
Current Status
 Water Dispute: Genesis and Current Status
▪ The genesis of Pakistan and India water dispute
back to 1948 when India, having control of
barrages in Eastern Punjab, stopped the canal
water inflow to Pakistani and threatened the
agrarian system of Pakistan.

▪ Indian occupation over Kashmir enabled it to

control of major rivers that flow towards
Pakistan.

▪ After a decade of negotiations, however, Indus

Basin Water Treaty (IWT) was finally signed on 19
September, 1960 with the cooperation of World
Bank.

▪ The treaty contains 12 articles and was signed by

Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ayub Khan.
 Water Dispute: Genesis and Current Status

▪ After signing of the treaty, Pakistan undertook

construction of Tarbela and Mangla Dams, 5
barrages and 8 inter river link canals.
According to Morgan
Stanley
▪ IWT survived diplomatic tensions but recent
The Indus basin is one of the upstream Indian water hydro projects have rekindled
world’s worst-affected basins water conflicts.
from climate change. That means
the basin is prone to droughts,
disorganized monsoon rains,
▪ Currently, the dispute revolves around the
flooding and desertification. If construction of major of dams at river Chenab and
India and Pakistan adopt Jhelum by India.
amicable measures regarding
their shared waters, there is still ▪ Pakistan views that India is diverting the river course
a chance for a peaceful future.
On the other hand, if Islamabad
with reducing more than 30% water capacity in
and New Delhi continue ripping
Chenab and Jhelum rivers.
each other’s throats, the
consequences would be ▪ Pakistan also concern that India is violating the IWT
catastrophic for world. and not willing to resolve the Kashmir issue due to
origin of all rivers.
 Water Dispute: Genesis and Current Status
▪ India’s rise of future water demands will
further compel her to undertake projects in
violation of IWT.

▪ Indian perspective is that Pakistan is

spreading misinformation that India is
violating the IWT to conceal its negligence of
mismanagement of water domestically.

▪ All the hydro projects on river Chenab and

Jhelum built by India under the respect of
IWT and international law of water.

▪ Both countries should settle down their

water issues bilaterally under Simla Accord
1972.
India-Pakistan Water Dispute
under IWT
 India-Pakistan Water Dispute under IWT

▪ (Article 2): India attains unrestricted water

usage rights of three eastern rivers: Ravi,
Sutlej and Beas.
▪ Pakistan is allowed limited agriculture use
of 45,500 Acres from River Ravi.

▪ (Article 3): Pakistan shall receive for

unrestricted use all waters of the Western
Rivers namely Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
▪ India can use the water of Chenab and
Jhelum following purposes:
▪ Domestic use
▪ Agricultural use (limited)
▪ Storage works (limited)
▪ India has to inform Pakistan 6 month in
advance of construction of power
plant.
India-Pakistan Water Dispute under IWT

▪ (Article 6): Both parties were to

regularly exchange flow-data of rivers,
canals and streams.

▪ (Article 8): A permanent Indus Waters

Commission was constituted to resolve
the disputes between the parties.

▪ (Article 9): The treaty sets out the

procedure for settlement of disputes.
▪ It also provides for settlement of
disputes through the International Court
of Arbitration.
Indian Hydro Projects
on Western Rivers
 Indian Hydro Projects on Western Rivers

Salaal Dam .

▪ Salaal dam first hydropower project built

by India in Kashmir on River Chenab under
the Indus Water Treaty regime.

▪ Its construction was started in 1970 and

completed in 1987.It was first project on
which Pakistan raised concerns.

▪ In 1978, through talks this matter was

successfully resolved by changing design of
the dam and reducing its height.
 Indian Hydro Projects on Western Rivers

Wullar Barrage Project ,

▪ Second controversial project that

constructed on Jhelum River in
Kashmir.

▪ The construction started in 1984

and operational since 1994.

▪ The matter is still unresolved.

INDEX PLAN
OF WULLAR
BARRAGE

EL. AREA VOL.

(FT.) (ACRE (A.F.)
S)
5167 14172 -

5170 22874 61500

5174 32365 168500

5180 48031 422500

DESIGN RES. LEVEL

27
5178. 42809 328,000
 Indian Hydro Projects on Western Rivers

Baglihar Dam
.

▪ Baglihar Dam with 900MW hydro project built

on River Chenab in Kashmir.

▪ Construction began in 1999 and operational

since 2008. Pakistan claimed that design
parameters of the Baglihar project violated
the Indus Water Treaty.

▪ During 1999-2004, India and Pakistan held

several rounds of talks on the design of
projects, but could not reach an agreement.

▪ In 2010, Indian and Pakistan resolved the

issue relating to the initial filling of Baglihar
dam after discussions.
 Indian Hydro Projects on Western Rivers

Kishanganga Dam .

• Kishanganga Dam is a
– 300MWpower project
– on River Neelum.

• Construction started 2007

• Completed 2017
 Indian Hydro Projects on Western Rivers

Uri II Hydel Power .

▪ This project is on River Jhelum

in Baramullah District in
Kashmir.
▪ It is downstream of Uri I.

▪ Pakistan raised objection and

asked for details in October
2002.
Prospects of Indian
Hydro Terrorism
 Prospects of Indian Hydro Terrorism

▪ Using water as an instrument of war.

▪ Violate Indus Water Treaty.

▪ Convert grain producing land of Pakistan

into desert.

▪ Build mega dams on western rivers which

flow towards Pakistan.

▪ To discharge plenty of water during

monsoon causing flood in Pakistan.
Indian Hydro Terrorism:
Impacts on Pakistan
 Indian Hydro Terrorism: Impacts on Pakistan

Turn down in Agriculture Production

▪ Pakistan uses about 104 million acre feet

every year for agricultural irrigation.

▪ In the result of Indian hydro terrorism, the

agricultural sector of Pakistan is badly
affected.

▪ The agricultural lands of the Punjab and

Sindh mostly depending on canal water
irrigation because in some areas
underground water is salty.

▪ Present water crisis, if allowed to continue,

would reduce the production of wheat,
cotton, rice and sugarcane.
Indian Hydro Terrorism: Impacts on Pakistan

Verge of War

▪ South Asian is known as nuclear flash point

and both India and Pakistan had fought three
wars.

▪ Indian hydro terrorism can make a crucial

reason to initiate war between two countries.

▪ War might be led to use of nuclear weapons

with disastrous and horrible results.

▪ So India Pakistan and India should resolve the

water dispute by peaceful means.
 Indian Hydro Terrorism: Impacts on Pakistan

Causing Hammering Floods

▪ There is another aspect of Indian hydro

terrorism in that sense during monsoon
season, India discharges plenty of water
into rivers which flow toward Pakistan.

▪ India discharge of water makes a cause of

hammering floods in Pakistan with the
result of:
▪ Massive human loss
▪ Infrastructure smash up.
Indian Hydro Terrorism: Impacts on Pakistan

Droughts and Desertification

▪ In the result of construction of mega

dams by India, there is alarming
condition of water shortage in
Pakistan.

▪ Consequently, Pakistan's is facing

drought conditions in Sindh and some
parts of Baluchistan along with huge
size of agricultural land is converting
into desert.
 Indian Hydro Terrorism: Impacts on Pakistan

Trigger Inter Provincial Water

Dispute

▪ Pakistan is already indulging in inter

provincial water conflict due to shortage
of water inside the country.

▪ Sindh and Baluchistan has deep

grievances to get less amount of water
as per their water rights.

▪ Now, Indian control over water of

western rivers is triggering inter
provincial water problem in Pakistan.
Way Forward
 Way Forward

▪ Improvements in bilateral cooperation by

CBMs would therefore be possible responses to
the water conflict.

▪ Address the threats of climate change and

economic shocks for agrarian communities
caused by melting glaciers may play vital role
in dispute settlement.

▪ Conducting joint studies on receding glaciers

and joint mechanism for monitoring and
sharing information flow of river water.

▪ Review the existing framework of water

sharing and dispute settlement like IWT under
changing circumstances.
Way Forward

▪ At domestic level both countries should

make more better water resources
management and water governance.

▪ Set up an independent Water

Commission by neutral experts and must
sharing of Trans-boundary Environment
Impact Assessment (TEIA)

▪ Involve multiple experts like

hydrologists, transboundary water and
climate change experts, engineers,
economists, environmentalists to
address and resolving problem
rationally.
 Way Forward

▪ Mediation is another successful

strategy which may be used to end
the water conflicts. For mediation, it
should involve a mediator who is
neutral to concerned parties.

▪ Avoid controversial statements and

political mileage to close the door of
cooperation making more worse
situation.

▪ Regulate media which propagate

benefits of water cooperation.
 Research Links

▪ https://www.ipripak.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/3-article-s14.pdf

▪ Https://www.ipripak.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/3-article-s14.pdf

▪ https://www.worldwatersolar.com/the-water-crisis-in-
pakistan/#:~:text=Pakistan's%20population%20in%202010%20was,are%20highly%20dependent%20on%
20water.

▪ https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/174428-The-Indo-Pakistan-water-conflict

▪ https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/international-law/the-india-pakistan-water-dispute-
international-law-essay.php

▪ https://climate-diplomacy.org/case-studies/water-conflict-and-cooperation-between-india-and-pakistan

▪ https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/international-law/the-india-pakistan-water-dispute-
international-law-
essay.php#:~:text=The%20Indus%20water%20treaty%20was,shared%20between%20India%20and%20Pa
kistan.&text=India%20on%20the%20other%20hand,Beas%2C%20Sutlej%20and%20Ravi%20rivers.