Climate Change and Legal Gaps in the Indus Water-Sharing Framework
Aadil Ahmad Shairgojri
Research Scholar, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Annamalai University, TN.
The Indus Waters dispute remains one of the most enduring and complex water conflicts in South Asia, rooted in the partition of British India in 1947 and sustained by deep-seated geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. This research article critically examines the historical, political, environmental, and governance dimensions of the conflict, focusing on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 as both a milestone in hydro-diplomacy and a framework under growing strain. Employing qualitative thematic analysis, the study identifies recurring patterns across key themes such as treaty compliance, climate change, rising water scarcity, and strategic infrastructure development. Despite its longevity and initial success in averting direct conflict, the IWT faces mounting challenges due to glacial melt, erratic monsoons, and competing domestic water demands in both countries. India’s hydroelectric projects and Pakistan’s recurring appeals for arbitration highlight the treaty’s limitations in addressing contemporary environmental and technical complexities.
Keywords: Indus Waters Treaty, India-Pakistan relations, water conflict, hydro-diplomacy, climate change, transboundary water management, regional stability.
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