Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
Article 5.2 envisage that Pakistan shall receive for unrestricted use all these waters of the western rivers Jhelum, Chenab and Indus , which India is under obligation to let flow. India shall let flow all the waters of western rivers and shall not permit any interference with these waters except for certain uses, as domestic use, non-consumptive use, agriculture use, and generation of hydro-electric projects. With certain restricted conditions use of waters for hydro-electric power and agriculture but it will not reduce the supply of waters to Pakistan as scheduled on 20 per cent and 80 per cent for Pakistan.
Pakistan shall receive for unrestricted use all those waters of the western rivers.
India shall be under an obligation to let flow all the waters of the western rivers, and shall not permit any interference with these waters.
Under the provisions of Article VIII (1) of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960, both India and Pakistan have appointed a Commissioner for Indus Waters Treaty. The two commissioners together form the Permanent Indus Commission. The main role of this commission is;
To establish and maintain cooperative arrangements for the implementation of the Treaty.
To promote cooperation between the parties in the development of the waters of the rivers.
To make every effort to settle promptly any question arising between the parties and
To undertake tours of inspection of the Rivers to ascertain facts.
After cursory look into the ‘Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan’ what options are there if India has to go for scrapping or review the treaty in view of the ‘Permanent Indus Commission’ as agreed upon by both countries in Article VIII (1) of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960. It wouldn’t be easy for India to tinker with the Indus Water Treaty, since it will raise questions on the fate of other international water treaties, mainly China. On reaction of Indian PM to suspend talks on IWT with Pakistan, China has reacted guardedly to suspend talks with Pakistan by India. Moreover the China has no water agreements with its southern neighbours, despite the international waters in its domain. China is reportedly reluctant to even allow these downstream riparian states to inspect its upstream water projects on international rivers.
We have to look in to the Brahmaputra River’s position, in view of the Pakistan’s concern that China will act similarly with regard to Brahmaputra River. Brahmaputra flows 3,800 kms originating on the Northern side of Himalayas descending through Assam in India and Bangladesh, where it joins the Ganges, flowing to the Bay of Bengal and forming the Ganges Delta.
The Brahmaputra River – known as the Yarlung Zangbo in China – has its headwaters in Tibet, and flows 2,900 kilometers from China, through India and Bangladesh where it meets the Ganges River before draining into the Bay of Bengal.
China and India are water-scarce countries that will face significant challenges to water and food security in the future.
As lower riparian’s, India and Bangladesh rely on the Brahmaputra River for water, agriculture and livelihoods. Upstream, China holds an important strategic advantage over the river’s flow.
Chinese dam-building and water division plans along the river is a source of tension between the two nations.
China and India are in conflict for resources along the Brahmaputra River, which flows through parts of Asia that have been prone to territorial disputes.
A balance is required to be maintained while speaking of ‘Indus Waters Treaty’ with Pakistan as China too have not good relations with India and Pakistan is near to the heart of China. The China’s announcement of investing some 46 billion dollar in Pakistan under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPED) and building almost all of the dams constructed by Pakistan in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, clearly speaks of nearness of China with Pakistan.Before concluding I like to cite the taunt once founder of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah has made that “he would rather have deserts in Pakistan than fertile fields watered by the courtesy of Hindus”.
(Concluded)
