It is surely a matter of regret that the Indian government has missed some best chances to make the most of the Indus Water Treaty, one of various bones of contention between India and Pakistan, neighboring countries yet at daggers drawn from its commencement in 1947. Let’s share a few more details of this contentious treaty. Indus Water Treaty, if truth be told, happens to be a water-sharing treaty between the Republic of India and Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The agreement took place under the aegis of the World Bank and was signed in the Pakistani city of Karachi on September 19, 1960. The signatories in the agreement were Mohammad Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan and Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India. Now the question remains what did lead to the signing of the treaty all of a sudden. Well, in accordance with pundits, agreement was a result of Pakistani concern. Pakistan had the feeling as Indus basin’s rivers’ sources were in India, the later would leave no stone unturned to make the most of the situation by creating famines and also droughts in the Pakistani landscape. Well, being a true universalist and also worshipper of humanism India did refrain from exploiting the situation even during three India-Pakistan wars. But in spite of showing these benevolences Pakistan has never shied away from accusing India of violating the negotiation. Even Sajjad Shaukat of Pakistani Observer has accused India of practicing "water terrorism" against Pakistan. This is simply not all; Kashmir Separatists hold the view that Indus Water Treaty has deprived J & K state to make use of its own water resources. As per them, this has been one of the main reasons of economic degradation of the state and also of the mounting alienation of people. What can be done then? Indus Water Treaty can be utilized for betterment. It is high time for the two warring nations to change their age-old mindsets. Indus Water Treaty has worked in a good manner for both the countries. There can’t be any end to disputes and disagreements thanks to rising requirements of water on both sides of the nearly war-ridden border. But angry disputes can’t bring about any solution; both India and Pakistan have to comprehend this sermon.
i think indus water treaty must have been utilized optimally for the betterment of both the nations. curbing the use of natural resource which is shared by both the nations is not a good act. by abiding to the treaty both india and pakistan can also improve their relations which have been bitter since long time.
