India Sends Notice To Pakistan Demanding Review Of One-Sided Indus Water Treaty

New Delhi: India has demanded a review of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan as it feels the several articles of the one-sided treaty need assessment.

Indian authorities sent a formal notice to Pakistan on August 30 pointing out that Article XII (3) of the Treaty states that its provisions may be modified by a duly ratified Treaty between the two governments from time to time.

The notice has mentioned frequent terrorist activities from across the border, and that Pakistan was taking undue advantage of Indian generosity.

India has highlighted ‘fundamental and unforeseen’ changes in circumstances which require a reassessment of obligations under various Articles of the Treaty, Ties Now reported quoting sources.

The main concerns raised by India are — significantly altered population demographics, along with agricultural and other uses of the waters; need to accelerate development of clean energy to meet India’s emission targets; and impact of continued cross-border terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir which has impeded smooth operations of the Treaty and undermined full utilisation of India’s rights.

India had sent a similar notice about modification of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, in January 2023, after Pakistan “unilaterally” tried to change the process of resolving disputes between the two nations.