Pakistan has declared its intention to formally raise concerns with India regarding any construction or development activity that it perceives as a violation of the longstanding Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The announcement came from the country's Foreign Office, highlighting ongoing tensions over shared water resources.
Scrutiny Over Western Rivers
The core of the issue revolves around projects on rivers allocated to Pakistan under the treaty. Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson, Andrabi, explicitly stated that any project built by India on the Chenab, Jhelum, and Neelam rivers is subject to scrutiny under the provisions of the IWT. These rivers are part of the "western rivers" system, the use of which is heavily regulated by the 1960 pact to ensure Pakistan's water security.
Andrabi revealed that Pakistan's Indus Water Commissioner has already written official communications to his Indian counterpart concerning specific projects on the Chenab River. While the exact details of these projects were not disclosed in the public statement, this action signifies an escalation in diplomatic efforts to address Pakistan's concerns through the treaty's established channels.
The Indus Water Treaty Framework
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, is often cited as one of the world's most successful water-sharing agreements. It allocates the use of the six rivers of the Indus basin between India and Pakistan. According to its terms:
- The three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) are allocated for unrestricted use by India.
- The three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan, but India is permitted to use them for limited purposes like hydroelectric power generation, subject to strict design criteria.
Disputes typically arise when Pakistan believes an Indian hydroelectric project's design violates these criteria, potentially allowing India to store or divert water beyond permitted limits, especially during the crucial dry season.
Implications and Next Steps
This latest development underscores the persistent fragility of the water-sharing arrangement amidst broader geopolitical strains between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The statement, dated January 8, 2026, signals Pakistan's proactive stance in monitoring and contesting Indian activities it deems non-compliant.
The process will likely involve technical discussions between the two Indus Water Commissioners. If unresolved, the matter can be referred to a Neutral Expert or even a Court of Arbitration, as outlined in the treaty's dispute resolution mechanism. The outcome of this particular engagement over the Chenab River projects will be closely watched, as it sets a precedent for future cooperation or conflict under this critical treaty.
For India, balancing its energy and development goals within the treaty's constraints remains a key challenge. For Pakistan, which is heavily dependent on the Indus system for agriculture and livelihoods, vigilant enforcement of the treaty is a matter of national economic security.
