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[Debate] Should India rethink on Indus water treaty?

There is news all over regarding this option. How far is it feasible? Even if we do that, will that send good signals to Bhutan Nepal Bangladesh and China with whom we have other river water treaties?
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Comments

  • edited September 2016
    Pros:
    Would make Pakis s*** their pants.
    Not sure how much of an effect it will have on the terrorist groups, because while it is true that ISI assists them now and then, it is certainly not true that all of them are "controlled" by ISI or Pak's military establishment.
    Boost national morale.

    Cons:
    How do we cut off that much water? And what happens to the flow? Serious risk, and almost assured inundation of the entire valley as well as Punjab and Jammu.
    Will legitimize Pak military's rhetoric of India being a perpetual threat to Pakistan.
    We have to placate B'desh that no such action will EVER be taken w.r.t. Ganges treaty.
    We don't have a good-boy face to show if China does the same to us tomorrow.

    Way forward:
    Go ahead with construction of Kishenganga and Baglighar projects disregarding the tribunal's award.
    Construct dams and small hydropower projects as per need on the "western" rivers. It is permitted under the treaty.
    Hasten the construction work for dams being built by India and Afghanistan on Kabul river, thus drying up Pakistan's another important source of water.

    This much is enough to create the requisite pressure for stemming short-term attacks, while New Delhi coherently plans an effective long-term strategy.


    Edit: @Kek @hope16 ,
    Please add anything that you have come across in various editorials/debates.
    I just read your posts about RSTV debate on the topic, so thought of tagging you here.
  • Great analysis by dr sahab. Covered all the points.
  • isn't kishenganga project almost complete?I had read on it few months ago.
  • jaljal
    edited September 2016
    Changing IWT as a reaction to Pakistan based terrorism would be an immature act. Reasons: It might increase disquiet among lower riparian people, thus legitimizing the cause of terrorists. Secondly, It is not a solution to terrorism. Thirdly, Doing so will internationalise India- Pak Relations, which we have kept strictly bilateral in nature. What we are trying to internationalise is terrorism, not India-Pak relationship.(clarity here is quite important)

    But yes, rethinking IWT is necessitated because it is quite generous . Westward flowing rivers are allotted to them, with India having non- consumptive use rights over Indus, Jhelum, Chenaab. Time and again Pakistan has put diplomatic obstructions for India of using such rights eg Kishangarh and Baglihar(finally cleared by PCA). There are numerous such projects. Here we have to be more discreet while proposing amendments.
    Pakistan Currently gets about 65% of water form Indus water basin with India settling for 35%. This is quite iniquitous in present scenario.
    But, above reasons don't call for any unilateral amendment of treaty. Proper diplomatic procedures must be followed.
  • edited September 2016
    pros:
    - Critics say IWT has been a historic injustice to Kashmir. 80% of water from 3 rivers flows to Pak depriving Kashmiris of their much needed water and power. A review of IWT has therefore been a need of hour.
    - Anger among Kashmiris against Indian state due to injustice of IWT is channelised by Pak to fuel unrest. That will be taken care of
    - Coercive diplomatic plan to punish Pak for its misdeeds without going for military option
    - Pak establishment will b forced to rethink its Ind specific strategy more on diplomatic lines which can reduce fear of war mongering in short term

    Cons:
    - India has achieved reputed status based on its impeccable record on global governance and commitment to international covenants and treaties. Withdrawing from IWT may malign the record and may be harmful for India while it pursues its ambition for NSG/civil nuclear deals
    - Water is not a weapon to fight a war as it affects mostly the innocent public even if it is of the enemy country.
    - India being seen as a benign power across the world would not like to antagonise such nations and communities
    - Fear among countries like B'desh for similar treatment in case of Teesta/GangA
    - China may support Pak by stealthically building dams on Indus like it built in Ladakh recently thereby hurting Indian interests which is a lower riparian state
    - Pak radicals and terrorists may exploit it to gain public support in their native country
    - Unncecessary internatiuonalsiation of J&K and court of arbitration may enter in picture

    Need:
    India must weigh all its options and diplomatic prudence should be utilised so that any harsh measure may not harm its interests on global multilateral platform. Proper consensus and deliberations across political spectrum, water experts and like minded nations should be followed.
  • edited September 2016
    Simple reason is even if you cutoff water where u will used or store it, isnt india going nuts over pakistan terror issue.

    India doesn't need to link terror with water, why isnt india focussing on strengthening its defence and security regime, its better to use some high tech technology to stop infilteration.

    India will always blame pakistan for exporting terror but india should also take some strict action regarding lapses in security.

    After pathankot and various other attack on indian miltary what mr modi is doing, he is just lashing out his frustation either in media speechs or at international regime.

    There is no need for any discussion on indus water treaty.

  • Simple reason is even if you cutoff water where u will used or store it, isnt india going nuts over pakistan terror issue.

    India doesn't need to link terror with water, why isnt india focussing on strengthening its defence and security regime, its better to use some high tech technology to stop infilteration.

    India will always blame pakistan for exporting terror but india should also take some strict action regarding lapses in security.

    After pathankot and various other attack on indian miltary what mr modi is doing, he is just lashing out his frustation either in media speechs or at international regime.

    There is no need for any discussion on indus water treaty.

    By seeing this arguement, I think UPSC didn't waste ur time.
  • Simple reason is even if you cutoff water where u will used or store it, isnt india going nuts over pakistan terror issue.

    India doesn't need to link terror with water, why isnt india focussing on strengthening its defence and security regime, its better to use some high tech technology to stop infilteration.

    India will always blame pakistan for exporting terror but india should also take some strict action regarding lapses in security.

    After pathankot and various other attack on indian miltary what mr modi is doing, he is just lashing out his frustation either in media speechs or at international regime.

    There is no need for any discussion on indus water treaty.

    By seeing this arguement, I think UPSC didn't waste ur time.
    Ok my arugment is not upto the mark but do you think india should always blame pakistan even india knows that pakistan export terrosim. The best possible method is too setup your security level to highest possible standard and wait for the terrosit to make a move then go and kill each and every terrosit.

    Indus water treaty is only treaty i think which is doing good as compared to other mutual signed agrrements.
    So its better to leave this issue.

    Rethinking on indus water treaty will affect india global image plus think twice india has so many rivers to support their people but pakistan has only indus which is even called pakistan lifeline, so taking the lifeline of pakistan citizen is similar to taking life of indian citizen. So where is difference between india and pakistan if india also start exporting terror in the name of water.


    If u find any fault in my argument do respond.

  • Simple reason is even if you cutoff water where u will used or store it, isnt india going nuts over pakistan terror issue.

    India doesn't need to link terror with water, why isnt india focussing on strengthening its defence and security regime, its better to use some high tech technology to stop infilteration.

    India will always blame pakistan for exporting terror but india should also take some strict action regarding lapses in security.

    After pathankot and various other attack on indian miltary what mr modi is doing, he is just lashing out his frustation either in media speechs or at international regime.

    There is no need for any discussion on indus water treaty.

    By seeing this arguement, I think UPSC didn't waste ur time.
    Ok my arugment is not upto the mark but do you think india should always blame pakistan even india knows that pakistan export terrosim. The best possible method is too setup your security level to highest possible standard and wait for the terrosit to make a move then go and kill each and every terrosit.

    Indus water treaty is only treaty i think which is doing good as compared to other mutual signed agrrements.
    So its better to leave this issue.

    Rethinking on indus water treaty will affect india global image plus think twice india has so many rivers to support their people but pakistan has only indus which is even called pakistan lifeline, so taking the lifeline of pakistan citizen is similar to taking life of indian citizen. So where is difference between india and pakistan if india also start exporting terror in the name of water.


    If u find any fault in my argument do respond.

    Are bhai...It was a compliment..@UPSC_WASTED_MY_LIFE ...But I wrote it in a fashion just to be humurous...BTW..good point in the arguement
  • Just cut off the water during peak irrigation demand season and let their crops wither away in the sun.

    Pros :

    More water for us.
    Death and destruction for them in the short term.

    Con:

    Uncle Sam and Uncle Chin start pumping in food and money to keep them floating.
    We become a terrorist state in the international community ourselves.

    Alternative:

    Relook the treaty and make the distribution even and fair. It's too generous now. We need to stop wasting so much water, especially using it for acting big. We need to become less generous and more hostile to sickos in the neighbourhood.
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