India has reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), 1960, will remain in abeyance and has indicated that it will not operate in its present form. The development comes amid continued India–Pakistan tensions and India''s concerns over cross-border terrorism.

Background

The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) was brokered by the World Bank and signed by India and Pakistan to regulate the sharing of the waters of the Indus river system.

The six rivers are divided into:

• Eastern Rivers: Allocated primarily to India.
• Western Rivers: Allocated primarily to Pakistan, while India is permitted certain uses, including domestic use, non-consumptive use and limited agricultural and hydroelectric use, subject to treaty provisions.

Why has India placed the Treaty in abeyance?

1. Cross-border terrorism

• India has linked the continuation of the treaty to Pakistan''s support for cross-border terrorism.
• In April 2025, India announced that the treaty would be held in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for terrorism.

2. Changing water realities

• India argues that the treaty needs to reflect contemporary realities such as:
• Climate change
• Changing precipitation patterns
• Population growth
• Increasing water requirements
• Need for greater hydropower development
• Studies have also highlighted declining rainfall in parts of the eastern Indus basin.

3. Developmental requirements

• India seeks greater flexibility in utilising the western rivers, particularly for hydropower and water-storage infrastructure, within its sovereign and developmental requirements.

4. Dispute-resolution concerns

• India has objected to what it considers an inappropriate parallelisation of the treaty''s dispute-resolution mechanisms, particularly the simultaneous involvement of a Neutral Expert and a Court of Arbitration.

Key Institutional Mechanism

Permanent Indus Commission (PIC)

• Established under the IWT.
• Each country appoints an Indus Commissioner.
• It serves as the primary mechanism for information exchange and addressing treaty-related questions.

Important UPSC Point: Can India unilaterally terminate the IWT?

Termination ≠ abeyance

• Article XII(4) provides that the Treaty continues in force until terminated by a duly ratified treaty concluded for that purpose.
• Therefore, India''s present position is better understood as placing the Treaty in abeyance, rather than formally terminating it.

Significance

For India

• Greater strategic leverage vis-à-vis Pakistan.
• Potentially greater utilisation of western river waters.
• Scope for accelerating hydropower projects such as Sawalkote and other projects on the Chenab.

For Pakistan

• Potential uncertainty over water availability.
• Significant implications for irrigation and agriculture, given Pakistan''s heavy dependence on the Indus river system.

For South Asia

• Raises concerns regarding transboundary water governance.
• Could affect the precedent for other international river-water agreements.
• Highlights the growing intersection of water security, climate change and geopolitics.