The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) cannot be unilaterally suspended or modified, World Bank President Ajay Banga recently clarified, underlining that any changes to the agreement require mutual consent between India and Pakistan.
Speaking in a recent interview, Banga explained that the World Bank’s role in the treaty is strictly administrative, as outlined at the time of the agreement’s establishment. He emphasized that the Bank does not have a decision-making role and merely acts as a facilitator.
“Our responsibility is to manage the trust fund created for the treaty. Beyond that, we have no role in its implementation,” he said. Banga stressed that any suspension or alteration of the treaty must be a joint decision by both countries. “The treaty has no provision for unilateral suspension. It must either be terminated or replaced through mutual agreement,” he added.
He also confirmed that the World Bank has not received any official notification from either government about recent developments concerning the treaty.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has issued a formal response to India’s recent move regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The Foreign Office reiterated that the treaty remains legally binding and fully operational for both nations.
Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated in a press release on Wednesday that Pakistan considers any violation of the agreement unacceptable. “The Indus Waters Treaty is a binding international accord. Both countries are obligated to respect and uphold its terms,” he said.
Khan added that Pakistan will continue to assert and protect its rights under the treaty at all global platforms.
India had announced a suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and closure of the Attari-Wagah border crossing—a vital point for trade and people-to-people contact—following a militant attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Background of the Indus Waters Treaty:
The Indus Waters Treaty was born out of necessity following the Partition of British India in August 1947. The newly created states of India and Pakistan were heavily dependent on Himalayan rivers for agriculture and irrigation. The division of Punjab—a region with a highly developed irrigation network under British rule—made an agreement on water sharing essential to avoid future conflicts.
After nearly a decade of negotiations, the treaty was signed in September 1960 by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan, with the World Bank acting as a key facilitator.
Under the agreement, India was granted rights over the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—while Pakistan was given control over the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. India is obligated to allow unrestricted flow of the western rivers into Pakistan, except in certain limited cases.
Although India is allowed to develop hydroelectric power projects on the western rivers, these must conform to strict regulations. They must be “run-of-the-river” projects, meaning they cannot significantly alter water flow or storage, thereby protecting Pakistan’s rights as the lower riparian state.
