The Indus conundrum: when water is both a lifeline and a faultline

For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance

For Mains Examination: GS II - International water treaties

Context:

Is it possible to halt or divert rivers? Rivers are the proverbial natural arteries of ecological systems. They are also worshipped, navigated and dammed. From the ancient ecosystems of Egypt to the sinking cities of Shanghai, rivers are valued differently. No wonder, some of our major river systems are also drying, and ultimately dying. Despite such ambiguity, rivers have remained intertwined with humanity

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Indus Water Treaty

Key takeaways:

• The Indus River, one of the longest rivers in Asia and the lifeline of Pakistan, originates in the Tibetan Plateau, near the Mansarovar Lake region close to Mount Kailash. From its source, it flows northwest through the Ladakh region of India, cutting through deep gorges and valleys in the Zaskar and Ladakh ranges.
• It then enters Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan, where it is joined by several tributaries such as the Shyok, Gilgit, Zanskar, and Hunza rivers. After traversing the high mountain terrains, the river bends southward near Nanga Parbat — one of the steepest relief zones in the world — and enters the Punjab plains of Pakistan.
• As the Indus flows further south, it is joined by its major western tributaries — the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers — which collectively form the Indus River System.
• The river then meanders through the arid region of Sindh, where it sustains agriculture through extensive canal irrigation networks, before finally emptying into the Arabian Sea near Karachi, forming a fertile delta.
• The significance of the Indus River is both historical and geographical. It was the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE), one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations, which flourished along its banks due to the availability of water for agriculture and transportation.
• Even today, the Indus remains crucial for the economies of both India and Pakistan, supporting millions through agriculture, fisheries, and hydroelectric projects.
• It also plays a strategic role in the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) between India and Pakistan, which governs the sharing of its tributaries and remains a cornerstone of transboundary water cooperation in South Asia

 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)

• The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, is one of the most enduring and successful water-sharing agreements in the world. It was brokered by the World Bank after years of negotiations to resolve water disputes that arose following the partition of British India in 1947.
• The treaty provides a framework for the equitable sharing and management of the waters of the Indus River System, which comprises six major rivers — the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
• Under the terms of the treaty, the three eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — were allocated to India, while the three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — were reserved for Pakistan.
• Although Pakistan was granted the right to use the western river