Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Q4. India’s recent suspension of the Indus Water Treaty marks a shift from legal restraint to symbolic assertion. Discuss the strategic motivations behind this act. Evaluate its implications for future water diplomacy. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question:
India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty post the Pahalgam attack in 2025 marks the first such instance since 1960, making it a significant shift in India’s diplomatic signalling and a key issue in regional geopolitics.
Key Demand of the question:
The question requires analysing how India’s move reflects a broader strategic shift in foreign policy and examining its long-term consequences for bilateral and regional water diplomacy frameworks.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Mention IWT’s historic resilience and why the 2025 suspension signals a strategic and symbolic break from past practice.Body
- Explain the broader context behind the statement highlighting the shift from legal restraint to symbolic assertion.
- Discuss the key strategic motivations driving India’s suspension of the treaty.
- Analyse potential implications on water diplomacy, treaty renegotiation, regional hydro-politics, and environmental cooperation.
Conclusion
Suggest the need for a future-ready, ecologically sensitive and institutionally resilient water-sharing framework.
