Indus Waters Treaty Timeline (1947-2025): Major Events, Suspension and What It Means for India?

The Indian Water Treaty (IWT) is one of the most important and lasting water classification treaties in the world. In 1960, India and Pakistan signed the treaty, with the World Bank acting as a mediator, which regulates the use and management of the Six Rivers in the Indus Basin, the essential lifespan of agriculture, drinking water and hydroelectricity in both countries.

Major events in the Indian Water Treaty Timeline

Zoning and Water Disputes in 1947:

In 1947, the British India partition separated the Indus River basin between India and Pakistan, making Pakistan the lower bank. The important irrigation head tribes of Madhopur (Ravi River) and Ferozepur (Sutlej River) are within the Indian borders, leading to water disputes.

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Withholding and Provisional Agreement of 1948

After the end of the pause agreement on April 1, 1948, India began to detain water entering Pakistan. On 4 May 1948, a temporary inter-departmental agreement forced India to provide water to Pakistan in exchange for compensation as parking spaces.

1951 United Nations Complaints in Pakistan and World Bank Mediation

Pakistan escalated the water problem to the United Nations in 1951, accusing India of interrupting water supply. The World Bank, led by President Eugene Black, began mediation and technical negotiations to resolve the dispute.

The Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960

On September 19, 1960, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Pakistani President Ayub Khan and World Bank official WAB Illiff finally signed the treaty for nine years. The treaty began retrospectively on 1 April 1960.

Development after treatment

The treaty divides three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) between India and Pakistan (India, Guilum, Schonab). It also established the Permanent Indus Commission for ongoing cooperation and dispute resolution.

The treaty will be suspended in 2025

On April 23, 2025, India suspended the Treaty of Indian Waters after a terrorist attack on Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. India blocked the flow of water from the West River to Pakistan and launched various diplomatic and security operations, including closing the Atari border crossing for all traffic and requiring Pakistani nationals from India to leave within 48 hours.

Attari border close

The Attari border is the most important Indian-Pakistan land trade crossing near Amritsar, and all movements were closed after the treaty was suspended. The closure of the border is part of a broader range of diplomatic and security measures taken by India, such as the firing of diplomatic relations and the recall of defense advisers. The closure of the border would affect trade and actions of the peoples between the two countries, which demonstrates the severity of the moratorium on the treaty.

Year/Date	event	detail
1947	The partition of Britain India	Create India and Pakistan; cross the border of water disputes across the Indian basin
April 1, 1948	India begins to detain water flowing into Pakistan’s canals	See more : Only geniuses can solve this math puzzle in 10 seconds! After the expiration of the 1947 stagnation agreement
May 4, 1948	Cross-sectarian agreement	India agrees to provide water to the Pakistan canal in exchange for annual payments (temporary measures)
1951	Pakistan approaches the United Nations	Accuse India of supplying water to Pakistani villages
1951–1960	Negotiations mediated by the World Bank	President Eugene Black’s World Bank promotes nine years of talks
September 7, 1960	Washington Labor Party Conference	Discussed publicity and final arrangements for signing the treaty
September 19, 1960	Indian Water Treaty signed in Karachi	Signed by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Pakistani President Ayub Khan and World Bank Vice President William Illiff
See more : Optical Illusion for Geniuses: Can you count how many circles are in this image? April 1, 1960	Date of entry into force of the treaty	The date of entry into force of the treaty is before the date of signing
1960-1970	Transition period	India provides water to Pakistan until Pakistan builds a canal system for the West River
1965	India – Parker War	Despite the conflict, it has not disturbed Pakistan’s water supply
After 1960	Permanent Indian Council was established	Commissioners from both countries meet annually for dispute resolution and cooperation
April 23, 2025	India suspends the Treaty of Indian Waters	India stopped flowing to Pakistan and lowered diplomatic relations after terrorist attacks in Jamu and Kashmir

The timetable shows the history of the Indian Waters Treaty, from controversy arising from partitions, through negotiation and implementation to a moratorium in 2025.

What does the suspension of the Indian Water Treaty mean for India?

Stop the Pakistani water flow

• India has stopped flowing from western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab), a major change in Pakistan after 64 years of treaty cooperation.

Close the Attari border:

• The Attari integrated inspection table, one of the key land boundaries of India and Pakistan on the Amritsar route, has been closed. Those entering India with effective recognition are allowed to return through this route by 1 May 2025.

Visa and diplomatic measures

• India has revoked its visa under the SAARC Visa Waiver Program, revoked it to Pakistani citizens, and asked those who already have visas in India to leave within 48 hours. Pakistan’s defense of the Indian High Commission of New Delhi, military, naval and air advisers have been deported to the Non Grata role and have a week to leave. India also recalls the defense and military adviser of the Islamabad High Commission for India.

Increase safety vigil

• India’s security forces have been ordered to maintain higher alerts than usual, especially at the India-Pakistan border and line of control to ensure there are no undesirable events.

Potential future challenges for India

• Water Resource Development: India may face challenges in expanding storage and hydropower projects in western rivers due to technical, environmental and regional considerations.
• Regional Water Diplomacy: The moratorium could impact India’s relationship with other regional stakeholders, including China and Afghanistan, who shared a portion of the Indus River Basin.
• Managing borders and security dynamics: Closing Attari borders and strengthening security measures requires ongoing resources and coordination to maintain peace and prevent escalation.
• Ensuring sustainable water use: India will need to ensure that water use in Jamu and Kashmir and Ladakh remains sustainable, especially given the ecological sensitivity of these regions.

Therefore, the suspension of the Indian Water Treaty shows the historic changes in India’s management of the Indian Basin waters and its bilateral relations with Pakistan. It provides India with increasing control over the West River waters and signals a firm diplomatic stance, while also introducing new challenges in water management, regional diplomacy and security coordination.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion