The Chenab is one of the three western rivers covered by the treaty
| Photo Credit:
PTI
As India has rejected a ruling by a Court of Arbitration in The Hague that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty remains in force, the move has brought Jammu and Kashmir’s long-standing concerns over the use of its river waters back into focus, even as a major hydropower build-out gathers pace in the Chenab basin.
India on Monday rejected the ruling, calling the tribunal illegally constituted and saying it has no jurisdiction over India’s sovereign decisions. New Delhi maintained that its decision to keep the treaty in abeyance remains in force.
For Jammu and Kashmir, however, the issue goes beyond the India-Pakistan water dispute. Political leaders in the region have for years argued that the treaty has not been favourable to J&K and has restricted its ability to fully benefit from its water resources.
Supporting the suspension of the treaty, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah last month said that the treaty has “sucked the blood of Kashmiris”.
In 2016, Mehbooba Mufti, the then Chief Minister, said that Jammu and Kashmir suffered losses due to the IWT and demanded compensation from the Central government.
However, senior political leader and former Union Minister of Water Resources Saifuddin Soz told businessline the treaty promotes peace in the region and should be restored.
The issue assumes greater significance as several major hydropower projects are being developed on the Chenab and its tributaries.
Projects including Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar and Ratle are expected to significantly expand Jammu and Kashmir’s hydropower capacity. The development comes as the Centre has stepped up efforts to accelerate work on hydropower projects following India’s decision to place the treaty in abeyance.
The Chenab is one of the three western rivers covered by the treaty. While Pakistan has unrestricted use of these rivers, India can use them for certain purposes, including hydropower generation, subject to specified conditions.
For J&K, the question now is whether a change in the status of the treaty could eventually allow greater utilisation of the region’s water resources and translate into a larger economic benefit.
“The suspension of the treaty could potentially create greater room for Jammu and Kashmir to utilise its water resources, particularly for hydropower. But the real test will be whether this translates into higher power generation, investment and revenues for the region,” said Shahnawaz Hussain, a political analyst from Kashmir.
Published on September 1, 2026