India has issued a second formal notice to Pakistan, requesting a “review and modification” of the 64-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
The latest notice, under Article XII (3) of the treaty, highlights India’s intent to renegotiate the agreement that regulates the use of the Indus River and its tributaries by both countries.
The Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower projects in Jammu & Kashmir are central to the dispute, which Pakistan claims violates the IWT terms.
India advocates for treaty modifications to support new water reservoir projects, arguing that the existing agreement no longer meets its needs.
Officials cite India’s expanding population and changing agricultural needs to revise the water-sharing terms.
India has also controversially linked water-sharing disputes with terrorism concerns, claiming these issues obstruct its full utilization of its water share under the treaty.
While the treaty is regarded as one of the most successful water-sharing agreements, the current strains indicate a potential need for both countries to reevaluate their commitments amid new environmental and security challenges.
This development could heighten tensions between India and Pakistan, which have a long history of disputes over water resources.
