Indus Waters Treaty: Hope Despite Rising Tensions

Jan 2, 2017 | Bilal Hussain
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With tensions looming high, there is dwindling hope of cooperation between the water-sharing nations of the Indus Basin. The two nuclear states of South Asia, India and Pakistan, are approaching each other head-on over this water conflict. Many believe that it could lead to another disastrous war, however, a few sane voices are still optimistic.

As the World Bank declared a pause on the Indus water treaty process in order to look into disputes on the Kishanganga (330 megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric plants, India started pitching for bilateral talks for sorting disputes with Pakistan, which as yet seems of no use. In reaction to this, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Tariq Fatemi has said on record that Pakistan is not going to accept any changes in the Indus Waters Treaty, which was signed in 1960.