Indus Water Treaty 1960 Between Pakistan and India

Indus Water Treaty 1960

Water issue has running from last few years between Pakistan and India.Pakistan however, managed to overcome this problem with the assistance of the World Bank. The treaty between India and Pakistan that settled the water issue was signed on September 19, 1960 at Karachi.

Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru signed on behalf of India, President Ayub Khan for Pakistan and Mr. William. B. Lliff for the World Bank.

Replacement of Works

The water sharing under the treaty was quite simple, that three Western rivers namely Indus, Jhelum and Chenab and the three Eastern Rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej were given to India. India agreed to supply water to Pakistan during the transitional period till 1973. According to this plan two Dams, five barrages and seven link canals have been completed. In Pakistan list of the Dams, Barrages and Link Canals is given below; to provide the financial arrangement in order to give effect to the Indus Basin Treaty, the World Bank created the Indus Basin Department Fund (IBDF). An agreement was signed at the same time as the treaty was signed by the representative of Pakistan and some friendly countries namely U.S.A, U.K, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Germany. The fund was contributed by the friendly countries in the amount of US dollars 895 million. It provides financing for the Indus Basin project (IBP) which was set up for the construction of replacement works.

Under the treaty, the waters of Eastern Rivers (Estimated about 33 MAF) were fully allocated for unrestricted use to India. Whereas the waters of Western rivers (estimated to 135 MAF) were allocated to Pakistan. However, India shall not interfere with the waters of Western Rivers except for following uses.

1. Domestic use
2. Non consumptive use.
3. Agricultural use (Limited)
4. Generation of Hydro-Electric Power
5. Storage works (Limited)

So Indus Basin Treaty brought to an end the long standing dispute between India and Pakistan on the use of the water of the Indus River System for irrigation and hydro power.