In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the focus has shifted on suspension of the decades-old Indus Water Treaty by India.

The treaty, brokered by the World Bank, was signed between India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960 to define modalities of water sharing between the two neighboring countries. By virtue of the treaty, use of waters of the Indus River system was fixed giving control of the waters of the western rivers—the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—to Pakistan and the eastern rivers—the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—to India.

There have been disputes between India and Pakistan over the construction and design of several hydropower projects in J&K. Pakistan had objected to construction of the Wullar Barrage, also known as the Tulbul Navigation Lock Project in Asia’s largest freshwater lake, in Wullar lake around Sopore area of north Kashmir. It has also raised objections to the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project in Gurez area of north Kashmir claiming the water diversion for power generation violated the Indus Water Treaty. Pakistan raised concern on the design of the Ratle Hydroelectric Project too.

The Court of Arbitration in 2023 ruled that it was “competent to consider and determine the disputes set forth by Pakistan’s request for arbitration. However, India refused to take part in the Court of arbitration and submitted its Memorial to the........

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