The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, negotiated under the auspices of the World Bank, divided the rivers of the Indus River basin. Apart from other specified uses, the Treaty allocates the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) to India and the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) to Pakistan. It creates cooperative mechanisms including Permanent Indus Commission and establishes procedures for the resolution of disputes, including through "Neutral Expert" or a Court of Arbitration. These have been utilized multiple times concerning hydropower dams. While the Treaty has previously continued to function through conflict and has been heralded as an example of a successful water treaty, recent years have seen calls for its renegotiation. In April 2025, after an attack in Indian controlled Kashmir that resulted in the tragic death of 26 tourists, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan has responded strongly, referring to any change in the allocation of water as an "act of war". The situation continues to evolve. This webinar brings together experts in international water law for a neutral discussion on the legal issues related to the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, including the impact on transboundary water governance between India and Pakistan and implications for international water law in South Asia and beyond.
Panelists
- Alistair Rieu-Clarke, Northumbria University
- Melissa McCracken, Tufts University
- Moderator - David J Devlaeminck, School of Law, Chongqing University; Co-Chair, Asia-Pacific Interest Group
Organized by the American Society of International Law Asia-Pacific Interest Group.