Indus Waters Treaty: India adopts assertive stance

India has adopted a more assertive stance regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), recently rejecting a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. The court had ruled that the treaty remains fully in force and that India should continue to observe its obligations under the agreement.

While the 1960 treaty, mediated by the World Bank, has historically survived decades of conflict between India and Pakistan, current deadlocks center on inequitable water distribution and dispute resolution mechanisms. Some analysts suggest India's decision to hold the treaty in abeyance was linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's declaration that ‘blood and water can’t flow together’ following terrorist incidents.