History and Dispute of The Indus Water Treaty, 1960

This treaty was signed by coordination and negotiated by the World Bank with the consent of both countries. The treaty reserved the rights of both countries regarding the distribution of water in the Indus River System. As per the treaty distribution, three rivers, Jhelum, Indus, and Chenab, were part of Pakistan, and the other three (i.e., Beas, Sutlej, and Ravi) were part of India.  Water of the Indus River flows from Glaciers of the Tibet region (China) from the foothills of mountain ranges, i.e Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Karakoram, and the river also crossing from Indian controlled Kashmir, through KPK, Punjab, Sindh province, and finally drops down in the Arabian Sea.

Sindh. Water from five rivers, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, joins with the Indus River at Punjnad. The Indus River currently irrigates the whole of Pakistan, and no other source is present; The Indus River is the lifeline of Pakistan.  India and Pakistan are dependent on a modern irrigation system, which was constructed by the Indian East Company during British rule.  

Violation of Customary Laws – Water Distribution

After the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, the Water of the Indus River was divided and canals flowed through India and Pakistan for a short-term agreement.  On April 19, 1948, India stopped supplying downstream water (Pakistan).  Mater was solved through interdominion accord on May 4, 1948, but it is not a permanent solution. Furthermore, negotiations were conducted, but neither country was willing to compromise the distribution of water. Representatives of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the US Atomic Energy Commission visited and suggested that both countries jointly sign an agreement for the distribution of Indus River Water. Resulting after continuing six years effortrts with arbitration and funding from the World Bank. The agreement formed between India (PM Jawaharlal Nehru) and Pakistan (President, Gen Muhammad Ayub Khan) and signed is the Indus Water Treaty of 1960.

The treaty gives Pakistan the right to use the water of western rivers (i.e., Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) and other eastern rivers (i.e., Ravi, Beas, & Sutlej)  to India.

In this way, a permanent salutation of the distribution of the Indus Water System was finalized, and the water issues were closed and peacefully settled.

Construction of Dams, Barrages, Link Canals, and Tube Wells

With funding from the World Bank and other member countries,   Tarbela Dam was constructed on the Indus River, and Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River.

 Violation of the Indus River Treaty

In 2017, India built the Kishanganga Dam and Ratle Hydroelectric Power Station on the   Chenab River in Pakistan.  Pakistan approached the World Bank water commission, and illegal construction of the Dam and Power station, according to the treaty, caused a reduction in water flow.  Pakistan claimed that these projects reduce the flow of water, as 80% of agriculture depends on Indus water. Pakistan complained, but the World Bank failed to agree to both countries.
In 2022,  on the request of India, a neutral expert was appointed, and Pakistan requested that the court of arbitration settle this water issue.
In 2023,  once again, the matter was highlighted; India requested bilateral modification in the Treaty of Indus River for their interest, but Pakistan refused.
In 2024, India wanted to modify the treaty with the help of the Indus Commission and discuss it with Pakistan for their interest because of irrigation, drinking, and climate change issues.  Previously, Pakistani officials were also informed that India would not intervene or reduce the flow of water, which would act as a water crime.

Terrorism and Suspension of the Treaty

In 2025, by the recent terrorist attack at place of Pahalgam in Indian occupied Kashmir on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, the Indian Govt accused that this recent cross-border terrorism was backed by Pakistan, however, Islamabad denies the baseless allegation.  The TRF armed group takes responsibility for this attack in Kashmir and demands the independence of Kashmir.  

The resulting Indian Government suspended the Indus River Treaty.  The suspension indicates that India may divert Indus water, and Pakistan will be deprived of water, but everyone knows that water is the lifeline of any country.    
However, India cannot store and hold a huge quantity of Indus water immediately through its existing dams and canals. However, Pakistan continues to complain that India is constructing dams for storage on the western rivers.
In the case of the Indian government holding the water of the Indus, Jhelum, and  Chenab.  Pakistan faces an acute shortage of water during the winter.
It is not only an issue that India could not share the hydrological data of water during the summer session to arrange for the planning of flood damage. According to the BBC article, future data will not be accurately shared with Pakistan.
The water issue and suspension of the treaty by the Indian government may lead both countries to war tensions; however, they had already fought weaponized wars in 1965 and 1971.  
India will use each method to harm Pakistan.  It can be a water bomb blast, which means fears and apprehension if upstream releases a sudden flow downstream. After that, some dialogues could cause significant flood damage, as earlier, this practice was done by India during the monsoon season.   
However, earlier in 2016, the politician of India famously quoted “blood & water could not flow together”, they indicated towards terrorist attacks in Indian occupied Kashmir and always blamed Pakistan cross cross-border involvement.

Effects of the Suspension – Indus Water Treaty 1960

The Indian government notified Pakistani Nationals to leave the country within a given time frame of 48 hours. All visas were canceled. Including military advisors and reducing support staff.  The cross-check posts and the Wahga border were closed immediately for Pakistani nationals.  
Accordingly, Pakistan took the same action for Indian nationals and also threatened to cease all agreements made by both countries previously, including the Simla Agreement (this agreement is a peace agreement between both countries, which was signed in 1972 by Indian PM Indira Gandhi and President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto).
Pakistan suspended all trade and closed air airspaces for the Indian airlines.  Canceled a granted visa to Indian nationals and ordered them to leave Pakistan.
Pakistan informed that if water flows are halted or blocked by India, this act will be considered a crime of war. Pakistan is fully prepared to defend itself against aggression.  
Pakistan always approaches its ally, China, and other friendly countries to solve the issue of water bilaterally, as water is its lifeline. Pakistan has no alternative solution or source of water.  An estimated 24% of the GDP and most people of the country depend on agriculture. India has no right to suspend the treaty, as it is a mutual and bilateral agreement; it can only be modified and changed with the consent of both countries.  As per customary laws, the upper riparian cannot reduce the flow of the lower riparian.