- The author emphasises that the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, is outdated and inadequate for present-day realities.
- Sharma illustrates this lack of cooperation as indicative of the enduring distrust between India and Pakistan over the past 65 years.
- The author’s careful fact-based analysis cuts through misinformation in Pakistan’s mainstream academia, giving neutral readers clarity and exposing Pakistan’s propaganda on the issue.
On April 23, 2025, the Government of India made the significant decision to suspend its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan. This comes on the heels of a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, blamed on a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist group. This represents an unprecedented decision by India to suspend absolutely all treaty-related activities, including any river data sharing, convening meetings of the Permanent Indus Commission, and fulfilling the specific water flow management obligations under the treaty. India’s move is a reaction to continued cross-border terrorism and is aimed at putting pressure on Pakistan to rethink its strategy of handling terrorism. India has not withdrawn from the treaty officially, but the suspension is termed as temporary, and officials have stated that there are no immediate plans to revive regular treaty operations at present.
In his book, Sant Kumar Sharma tries to inform readers about the historical origins of the treaty and its relevance in the present geopolitics. The author’s analysis of the Indus Waters Treaty is based on his two-decade-long research work on this topic. He had written an earlier book entitled “Indus Waters Story”, which further discusses the intricacies of this topic.
The author emphasises that the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, is outdated and inadequate for present-day realities. The treaty was designed based on hydrological, demographic, and technological conditions from a century ago, using data that is now considerably less relevant. For instance, the annual flow data of various rivers in the Indus system, which serves as the treaty’s foundation, was collected between 1920 and 1925. The author argues that the treaty does not adequately address critical environmental challenges that have emerged in recent decades. He also points out that the division of river waters heavily favours Pakistan; under the treaty, Pakistan is entitled to use 135 Million Acre Feet (MAF), or nearly 80 per cent, of the total water from the Indus system, while India receives only around 20 per cent or less.
One chapter of the book discusses the publication of an article in Collier’s Magazine, titled “Hyphenation of India and Pakistan,” authored by David E. Lilienthal, following his visit to India at the invitation of then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. This article, along with the World Bank’s proposal for settling water disputes, highlights the post-Partition water-sharing arrangements between the two countries.
In another chapter, the author highlights the unused Article VII of the Indus Water Treaty, which addresses future cooperation between the two countries since the treaty was signed in September 1960. He illustrates this lack of cooperation as indicative of the enduring distrust between India and Pakistan over the past 65 years. The book thoroughly discusses Pakistan’s violations of the dispute resolution mechanisms established under the treaty, specifically noting how this led India to serve notice to Pakistan under Article XII(3) of the Indus Water Treaty in January 2023. This action occurred after Pakistan sought to approach the Court of Arbitration before a neutral expert.
Drawing on deep research and contextual insight, the author offers a clear analysis of the Indus Waters Treaty that prompts deeper discussion on water management and India–Pakistan relations.
The author also conducts a detailed examination of Pakistan’s perspectives on the IWT in one of the chapters. He analyses works authored by Pakistani defence experts, such as “Hydro Diplomacy: Preventing Water War Between Nuclear-Armed Pakistan and India” by Ashfaq Mahmood, highlighting exaggerations and inaccuracies in claims made, including alarming assertions regarding the number of projects India has undertaken on the Chenab River. Such narratives are aimed at instilling a sense of phobia among Pakistani citizens. Additionally, the author critiques “Political and Legal Dimensions of INDUS WATER TREATY,” written by Ijaz Hussain, who accuses the World Bank and neutral experts of working against Pakistan’s interests. The author’s meticulous presentation of facts and exposure of misinformation within Pakistan’s mainstream academia is an essential contribution to this book, offering valuable insights for neutral readers and exposing Pakistan’s propaganda on this issue.
Finally, the book elucidates the significance of Article XII of the Indus Water Treaty, which pertains to the modification of the treaty. The Government of India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has shown reluctance to utilise this article as a critical strategy for dealing with Pakistan in recent years. This avoidance of a potentially pivotal legal instrument further emphasises the complexities surrounding the treaty and the need for a reevaluation of its provisions in light of contemporary geopolitical realities.
The author advocates for the immediate dredging of Wullar Lake to advance the Tulbul Navigation Project, a significant initiative that the Government of India undertook in 1984. This project is critical for improving navigation and accessibility in the region, especially given the current water distribution outlined in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan. Under this treaty, Pakistan is allotted the majority of the water flowing through the Indus River system, receiving approximately 135.6 million acre-feet (MAF) from the western rivers, which include the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. In contrast, India is allocated only about 32.7 MAF from the three eastern rivers: the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. The disparity in water distribution raises concerns about water management and utilisation for India, which can significantly impact agricultural productivity and water availability in various regions. Therefore, the author emphasises the need for immediate action regarding the Tulbul Navigation Project to enhance India’s capabilities in managing its water resources more effectively. With proper dredging of Wullar Lake, the project could contribute to better water management efforts in the area.
Sharma also incorporated excerpts from the Lok Sabha Debate, which featured a number of passionate contributions from various Members of Parliament who voiced their strong criticism of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. They expressed concerns regarding the concessions granted to Pakistan through the treaty, arguing that such measures undermined India’s national interests. Prominent voices in this debate included veteran parliamentarians such as Harish Chandra Mathur, A.C. Guha, Brij Narayan Singh, Surendra Mohanty, and Atal Behari Vajpayee. Each of these leaders raised pointed questions regarding the Prime Minister’s interpretation of the treaty, emphasising that it could have serious long-term repercussions for the nation. Their criticisms reflected a broader unease within the Lok Sabha about the implications of Nehru’s diplomatic choices, and this discourse contributed significantly to the political landscape of the time. The debate not only highlighted differing perspectives on foreign policy but also showcased the parliamentary process as a vital forum for addressing crucial national issues.
The author recommends that annual official visits from Pakistan through the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) should be halted. Instead, the focus should be on expediting the construction of the Ujh multipurpose project while dropping the power production component due to high costs per unit of electricity. The emphasis should be placed on the irrigation aspect of the Ujh Project to transform the Kandi belt of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, it is important to utilise India’s own share of water in the proposed Ravi-Beas link river below Ujh. Through extensive research and a nuanced understanding of the historical and political context of the Indus Waters Treaty, the author provides readers with a thorough analysis that encourages a deeper dialogue about water resource management and bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.
Book Title: Indus Water Treaty: Mirroring the Facts
Author: Sant Kumar Sharma
Publishers: Panchnad Research Institute, Kitabwale Book, New Delhi
Pages: 120
Price: ₹400 (Paperback)
SW Ratings: ****
Shivendra Shandilya is a PhD Scholar at the Department of Public Policy and Public Administration, Central University of Jammu. Views expressed are the author’s own.
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