Topics Covered: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Indus Water Treaty:
Context:
September 19 marks the 60th anniversary of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan.
About the Indus Water Treaty:
It is a Water-Distribution Treaty, signed in Karachi in 1960, between India (PM Jawaharlal Nehru) and Pakistan (President Ayub Khan), brokered by the World Bank.
Who has control over what?
- Under the treaty, India has control over water flowing in the eastern rivers– Beas, Ravi and Sutlej.
- Pakistan has control over the western rivers– Indus, Chenab and Jhelum.
Water for other purposes:
- India is allowed to use 20% water of the western rivers for irrigation, power generation and transport purposes.
- It also granted 3.6 million acre-feet (MAF) of “permissible storage capacity” to India on the western rivers.
Key features of the treaty:
- As per the treaty, the water commissioners of Pakistan and India are required to meet twice a year and arrange technical visits to projects’ sites and critical river head works.
- Both the sides share details of the water flow and the quantum of water being used under the treaty.
- The treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Indus and its tributaries.
- When was Indus Water treaty signed?
- Who brokered the treaty?
- Highlights of the treaty?
- Functions of Permanent Indus Commission.
- Hydroelectric projects in News in this regard.
Mains Link:
Discuss the significance of Indus Water Treaty.
Sources: Indian Express.