Pak. accuses India of ‘weaponising’ water after treaty suspension
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 1960 is a landmark transboundary water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank, and its suspension by India post-Pahalgam attack makes it a live exam issue. The dispute involves principles of international water law, state sovereignty, and India-Pakistan relations. Mains could ask about India's rights under IWT, the Permanent Indus Commission, and implications for regional hydropolitics.
Key facts
- India announced suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty in 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack.
- Pakistan has accused India of 'weaponising' water through two river infrastructure projects announced separately in 2025.
- The IWT (1960) allocates the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan.
- India insists it is within its rights to develop projects on rivers it controls under the treaty.
- Pakistan has threatened a response if India proceeds with the projects, raising bilateral tensions.
- The World Bank was the mediator/guarantor of the original 1960 treaty.
Pakistan said on Thursday two river projects by India would “weaponise” water and violate a major treaty between the neighbouring nations, threatening a response if they move ahead. India, which has announced the two initiatives separately this year, insists it is within its rights to press ahead with projects on the waters it controls, even though rivers flowing though both countries would be impacted.
Concepts to know
A water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan brokered by the World Bank, allocating the three eastern rivers to India and three western rivers to Pakistan. India announced its suspension in 2025, marking the first time in the treaty's history this step was taken.
A bilateral commission with a commissioner from each country, mandated to meet annually to resolve disputes and exchange data under the Indus Waters Treaty framework.
A body of international law governing shared water resources crossing national boundaries, including principles of equitable utilisation and no-harm rule, relevant to evaluating India-Pakistan water disputes.
The study of political conflict and cooperation over shared water resources; India-Pakistan tensions over IWT are a classic case study in South Asian hydropolitics.
The international financial institution that mediated and remains a guarantor of the Indus Waters Treaty; it has a defined dispute-resolution role under the treaty.
Linked previous-year questions
The UPSC questions this story connects to.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Baglihar Power Project had been constructed within the parameters of the Indus Water Treaty. 2. The project was completely built by the Union government with loans from Japan and the World Bank. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- a.1 only ✓
- b.2 only
- c.Both 1 and 2
- d.Neither 1 nor 2
Geography · UPSC 2009Consider the following statements regarding the relations between India and Pakistan: 1. During Shimla Agreement, Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Bhutto agreed to maintain the sanctity of LOC 2. Lahore summit took place in the year 1997 3. Islamabad summit was held between Rajiv Gandhi and Nawaz Sharif Which of these statements is/are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 3 (c) Only 2 (d) Only 1
- a.1, 2 and 3
- b.1 and 3
- c.Only 2
- d.Only 1 ✓
International Relations · UPSC 2003Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India's districts are classified as "overexploited" or "critical" by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). 2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act. 3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1 and 3 only
- a.1 only
- b.2 and 3 only ✓
- c.2 only
- d.1 and 3 only
Environment · UPSC 2020Consider the following statements: Statement-I: According to the United Nations' World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year. Statement-II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of the world's population living in its Territory. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
- a.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- b.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- c.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect ✓
- d.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Environment · UPSC 2023If the National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, how will it impact the country? 1. Part of the water needs of urban areas will be met through recycling of waste-water. 2. The water requirements of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water will be met by adopting appropriate technologies that allow for the use of ocean water. 3. All the rivers of Himalayan origin will be linked to the rivers of peninsular India. 4. The expenses incurred by farmers for digging bore-wells and for installing motors and pump-sets to draw ground-water will be completely reimbursed by the Government. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
- a.1 only
- b.1 and 2 only ✓
- c.3 and 4 only
- d.1, 2, 3 and 4
Environment · UPSC 2012Consider the following statements : 1. Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake. 2. Krishna River directly feeds Kolleru Lake. 3. Meandering of the Gandak River formed Kanwar Lake. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None
- a.Only one ✓
- b.Only two
- c.All three
- d.None
Geography · UPSC 2023
Get the full brief — free
Every story syllabus-mapped, the exact NCERT page to revise, a daily MCQ quiz and more — start free, no card needed.
Start free →