Pakistan faces water crisis as India builds dams on shared rivers

[FearlessRoar]

As the Indus River flows through the heart of Pakistan, it brings life-giving water to the nation's agricultural fields and thirsty cities. But India's increasing construction of dams on Pakistan's shared water resources is sparking a crisis that threatens the very fabric of Pakistan's existence.

Did you know that India has built over 20 dams on the Indus and its tributaries, including the controversial Kishanganga and Ratle dams? These dams have altered the river's natural flow, causing devastating impacts on Pakistan's:

- Agriculture: Reduced water supply and altered sowing seasons have led to crop failures and food insecurity.
- Hydroelectric power: Pakistan's own power generation has been severely impacted, leading to widespread blackouts.
- Ecosystems: The altered river flow has disrupted natural habitats and endangered species.

But who's to blame for this crisis? India's aggressive damming policy or Pakistan's failure to negotiate effective water management agreements?

Let's look back at the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and the 1966 Tashkent Agreement, which aimed to resolve water disputes between the two nations. Have these agreements failed to protect Pakistan's interests?

 

[sweep_shot]

India did the same to Bangladesh (https://climate-diplomacy.org/case-...Farakka,increasing the likelihood of flooding.).

Very selfish from India. They shouldn't be political when it comes to water.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Good move by India.. block water to Pakistan.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pakistan objects to design of Kishanganga project on Jhelum river​

A meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Water Resources under the chairmanship of Khalid Magsi wherein the Secretary of the Water Resources ministry briefed the participants that Pakistan objected to the design of the Kishan Ganga hydroelectric power plant.

“India says the design is correct,” the Water Resources ministry secretary said. “There are currently two cases going on with India on the Indus Basin Agreement,” he added.

The ministry’s secretary said India has initiated a case against Pakistan but Pakistan insisted it was a matter of judicial jurisdiction.

He briefed the participants Pakistan's case has been going on in The Hague wherein India became a er-party to the case.

It is pertinent to note that hydroelectric plant is located on the Kishanganga River, which is a tributary of the Jhelum and is known as the Neelum in Pakistan - only metres away from the Line of Control (LOC). Pakistan argued that the Kishanganga project violates both conditions by changing the course of the river and depleting the water level.

Flaws in K-4 Project

He revealed that flaws identified in the design of the Karachi water provision mega project K-4.

“Rs16 to Rs20 billion of the federal government were lost in the K-Forum project,” WAPDA Chairman revealed. “The design of this project has now been changed,” the WAPDA chairman said.

SIC MNA Zartaj Gul said there should be a policy statement on the Indus Basin Agreement.

Pakistan objects to design of Kishanganga project on Jhelum river

Wapda chairman reveals flaws in K-4 Project

www.samaa.tv

 

[FearlessRoar]

Good move by India.. block water to Pakistan.

This is inhuman to say

 

[FearlessRoar]

India did the same to Bangladesh (https://climate-diplomacy.org/case-studies/india-and-bangladesh-conflict-over-ganges-river#:~:text=The construction of the Farakka,increasing the likelihood of flooding.).

Very selfish from India. They shouldn't be political when it comes to water.

Modi is causing instability in the region

 

[nish_mate]

India did the same to Bangladesh (https://climate-diplomacy.org/case-studies/india-and-bangladesh-conflict-over-ganges-river#:~:text=The construction of the Farakka,increasing the likelihood of flooding.).

Very selfish from India. They shouldn't be political when it comes to water.

Sure, ask China to blow up the dams they have built on upstream Bhramaputra, but you wont squeak there.

 

[nish_mate]

Modi is causing instability in the region

Or Pakistan havent looked into IWT and managed their share of water?? Easy to blame Modi or GOI than self introspect.

 

[deltexas]

Pakistan objects to design of Kishanganga project on Jhelum river​

A meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Water Resources under the chairmanship of Khalid Magsi wherein the Secretary of the Water Resources ministry briefed the participants that Pakistan objected to the design of the Kishan Ganga hydroelectric power plant.

“India says the design is correct,” the Water Resources ministry secretary said. “There are currently two cases going on with India on the Indus Basin Agreement,” he added.

The ministry’s secretary said India has initiated a case against Pakistan but Pakistan insisted it was a matter of judicial jurisdiction.

He briefed the participants Pakistan's case has been going on in The Hague wherein India became a er-party to the case.

It is pertinent to note that hydroelectric plant is located on the Kishanganga River, which is a tributary of the Jhelum and is known as the Neelum in Pakistan - only metres away from the Line of Control (LOC). Pakistan argued that the Kishanganga project violates both conditions by changing the course of the river and depleting the water level.

Flaws in K-4 Project

He revealed that flaws identified in the design of the Karachi water provision mega project K-4.

“Rs16 to Rs20 billion of the federal government were lost in the K-Forum project,” WAPDA Chairman revealed. “The design of this project has now been changed,” the WAPDA chairman said.

SIC MNA Zartaj Gul said there should be a policy statement on the Indus Basin Agreement.

Pakistan objects to design of Kishanganga project on Jhelum river

Wapda chairman reveals flaws in K-4 Project

www.samaa.tv

Here's what has happened. Just sensationalizing news without providing the complete facts and half truths is never good.

Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[deltexas]

Modi is causing instability in the region

LOL ! Blame modi for everything. Take tge eady way out. Sometimes looking inwards - seeing where the faults exist is a good option instead of blaming elsewhere for everything

 

[deltexas]

India did the same to Bangladesh (https://climate-diplomacy.org/case-...Farakka,increasing the likelihood of flooding.).

Very selfish from India. They shouldn't be political when it comes to water.

Again incorrect and false news. Check out the facts here. Its actually causing more issues for ind instead - if you have the time to read the below.

Farakka Barrage - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Ganges water dispute - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Weiterleitungshinweis

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

This is inhuman to say

No it isn't, it's hindutva and we can establish that RSS supporters are probably human.

 

[sweep_shot]

Again incorrect and false news. Check out the facts here. Its actually causing more issues for ind instead - if you have the time to read the below.

Farakka Barrage - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Ganges water dispute - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Weiterleitungshinweis

Nope.

You need to check unbiased sources.

Read below:

After commissioning Farakka barrage in 1975, India has been diverting most of the water flow of the river Ganges to her end. As a result Bangladesh is losing a lot of its agricultural and industrial production, fishing and navigation, human health and wellbeing and so on. Changing water flow of the river Ganges has eventually changed the hydraulic character of the rivers and the ecology of Bangladesh.

Reference: https://bandungjournal.springeropen...ng Farakka barrage in,and wellbeing and so on..

 

[deltexas]

Nope.

You need to check unbiased sources.

Read below:



Reference: https://bandungjournal.springeropen...ng Farakka barrage in,and wellbeing and so on..

So, all the mainstream media sources, all wiki references and news articles and info documents are false but your one study is an unbiased source. Yeah right. The victim mentality is frankly getting tiresome.

 

[sweep_shot]

So, all the mainstream media sources, all wiki references and news articles and info documents are false but your one study is an unbiased source. Yeah right. The victim mentality is frankly getting tiresome.

What is tiresome is Indians acting like their country can do nothing wrong.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

 

[nish_mate]

What is tiresome is Indians acting like their country can do nothing wrong.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

If it is wrong, take India to court. India is doing within laws same as China is doing within laws with water sharing. As I said not a squeak from Pakistanis or BDeshis in Chinese water management as all water sources for South Asia originate in Tibet, but easier to blame Indians & Hindus.

Wake up and get out of perpetual victim mode.

 

[nish_mate]

Nope.

You need to check unbiased sources.

Read below:



Reference: https://bandungjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40728-015-0027-5#:~:text=After commissioning Farakka barrage in,and wellbeing and so on..

And authors of that article- hardly a surprise what the narrative is going to be with those names.....

 

[Red-Indian]

As the Indus River flows through the heart of Pakistan, it brings life-giving water to the nation's agricultural fields and thirsty cities. But India's increasing construction of dams on Pakistan's shared water resources is sparking a crisis that threatens the very fabric of Pakistan's existence.

Did you know that India has built over 20 dams on the Indus and its tributaries, including the controversial Kishanganga and Ratle dams? These dams have altered the river's natural flow, causing devastating impacts on Pakistan's:

- Agriculture: Reduced water supply and altered sowing seasons have led to crop failures and food insecurity.
- Hydroelectric power: Pakistan's own power generation has been severely impacted, leading to widespread blackouts.
- Ecosystems: The altered river flow has disrupted natural habitats and endangered species.

But who's to blame for this crisis? India's aggressive damming policy or Pakistan's failure to negotiate effective water management agreements?

Let's look back at the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and the 1966 Tashkent Agreement, which aimed to resolve water disputes between the two nations. Have these agreements failed to protect Pakistan's interests?

I heard a really good Pakistani Podcast about the Indus River Water Treaty and the implications of the recent spate of dam building on the India side. I think she made some great points.

- So far India has not broken any of the 'letter' terms of the Indus Water treaty (as evidenced by the fact that Pakistan has not sued them anywhere) except on some technical aspects of the design of a couple of dams)
- However the 'spirit' of the agreement may have been broken. The agreement as you may know gives the eastern rivers to do what it wants with and western rivers to Pakistan. However, it made no stipulation for environmental flow i.e. water that' still needed to keep the main Indus river health.
- Nobody anticipated at the time how comprehensively India would be able to divert and utilise it's share of the waters through building dams, canals etc. Pakistan has not been able to do the same and some of the unforeseen complications are the ones you listed
- The bigger threat to Pakistan is the capacity India is developing to drastically cut the flow to the rivers flowing west. India was always permitted to utilise the water in non-consumptive ways but some of the dams could in a conflict, be used to consume the water and starve Pakistan


So far, nothing too bad has happened but I must say Pakistan has limited capacity to respond on this. You're in a real tricky position since the essential rules have not been violated as can be proved in a court. Not sure what your strategy is.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

If India believes what China doing to them is wrong then why they doing the same with Pakistan?

 

[nish_mate]

If India believes what China doing to them is wrong then why they doing the same with Pakistan?

Still not answered, what is more difficult- introspect and manage exisiting water resources or vilify India and Modi. China is doing what is right for her, India the same. China stops India stops perhaps. So maybe ask Iron brother to help out and stop being a bully.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

So far, nothing too bad has happened but I must say Pakistan has limited capacity to respond on this. You're in a real tricky position since the essential rules have not been violated as can be proved in a court. Not sure what your strategy is.

What are the implications for Pakistan long term? If India is restricting the flow of water to Pakistan it could be seen as an existential threat, in which case the only response might be to threaten to nuke India.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Sure Pakistan can ask them if India assures them first.

Still not answered, what is more difficult- introspect and manage exisiting water resources or vilify India and Modi. China is doing what is right for her, India the same. China stops India stops perhaps. So maybe ask Iron brother to help out and stop being a bully.

 

[nish_mate]

Sure Pakistan can ask them if India assures them first.

And assures what exactly? Iron brother should be helping out without assurances and guarantees, after all its a relationship sweeter than honey, what's water to them...

 

[sweep_shot]

Is India completely innocent? LOL. Doesn't RAW interfere in other countries?

 

[Red-Indian]

What are the implications for Pakistan long term? If India is restricting the flow of water to Pakistan it could be seen as an existential threat, in which case the only response might be to threaten to nuke India.

That's crazy talk...MAD level (if you're old enough to remember the term from the cold war). You're basically making a choice between slow starvation and total destruction.

I'm no expert but I support one option could be to build enough backup to survive a season. For that Pakistan has to maximise usage of it's share of the Indus Waters - the western rivers and build capacity to hold waters. If it can do that, there would eventually be enough international pressure to force India to back down even if we're in the middle of a conventional shooting war. China in particular could exert a lot of it.

There doesn't seem to be any coherent strategy strategy to counter India and mitigate the risk. As the OP mentioned, India has built 20 dams on the Indus water system. Pakistan per the podcast has built 3.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

And assures what exactly? Iron brother should be helping out without assurances and guarantees, after all its a relationship sweeter than honey, what's water to them...

India is so bad at assurances and often back tracks from its word. Have we forgotten the pledge of plebiscite to Kashmiris?

 

[deltexas]

What is tiresome is Indians acting like their country can do nothing wrong.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

What is tiring is you being in denial and refuting the facts and reputable sources. Gave you an entire bunch. Thats been the issue so far - blame everything on Ind inspite of the facts and evidence

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

That's crazy talk...MAD level (if you're old enough to remember the term from the cold war). You're basically making a choice between slow starvation and total destruction.

I'm no expert but I support one option could be to build enough backup to survive a season. For that Pakistan has to maximise usage of it's share of the Indus Waters - the western rivers and build capacity to hold waters. If it can do that, there would eventually be enough international pressure to force India to back down even if we're in the middle of a conventional shooting war. China in particular could exert a lot of it.

There doesn't seem to be any coherent strategy strategy to counter India and mitigate the risk. As the OP mentioned, India has built 20 dams on the Indus water system. Pakistan per the podcast has built 3.

As I said, depends if Pakistan sees this dam building as an existential threat. I can understand Modi's desire to weaken Pakistan, but cutting off water is not a step he should have authorised. I think Pakistan has been put in a position where dusting down the nukes is going to be the only language this madman understands.

 

[nish_mate]

India is so bad at assurances and often back tracks from its word. Have we forgotten the pledge of plebiscite to Kashmiris?

Remind us if Nehru and India pledged it in 53 or merely stated a possibility.

Reminding of backtracking whens Pakiatan vacating POK that's the pre condition to referendum there...

Easy to play the victim role always for Pakistan

 

[Red-Indian]

As I said, depends if Pakistan sees this dam building as an existential threat. I can understand Modi's desire to weaken Pakistan, but cutting off water is not a step he should have authorised. I think Pakistan has been put in a position where dusting down the nukes is going to be the only language this madman understands.

Maybe I wasn't clear. Modi hasn't authorised any cutting off of water. I did say - so far, the terms of the Indus River Waters agreement haven't been broken. Some spirit 'bent' perhaps but nothing any court would recognize as a violation.

What the Indian National Security establishment in collaboration with the Water Resources ministry has done is given itself an option to resort to in an actual war. An option short of nuclear escalation. It's up to Pakistan whether it sees this as an existential threat and if so how it responds.

I think status quo would be fine for the Pakistani government and establishment. While yes, the Indus River's health is compromised, Pakistan is still getting it's agreed share of the water. They just can't afford to anger India now. A Kargil style escalation would be unthinkable in the current setup.

 

[rpant_gabba]

Is India completely innocent? LOL. Doesn't RAW interfere in other countries?

So feel free to block India's water.

 

[rpant_gabba]

I heard a really good Pakistani Podcast about the Indus River Water Treaty and the implications of the recent spate of dam building on the India side. I think she made some great points.

essential rules have not been violated as can be proved in a court. Not sure what your strategy is.

name or link?

- So far India has not broken any of the 'letter' terms of the Indus Water treaty (as evidenced by the fact that Pakistan has not sued them anywhere) except on some technical aspects of the design of a couple of dams)

they have been trying like hell. They tried to get both a neutral expert and court case route to get two bites at the same topic. Biden admin encouraged thro' world bank, but lost interest. Besides Pak doesn't have the funds to pursue

- However the 'spirit' of the agreement may have been broken. The agreement as you may know gives the eastern rivers to do what it wants with and western rivers to Pakistan. However, it made no stipulation for environmental flow i.e. water that' still needed to keep the main Indus river health.
- Nobody anticipated at the time how comprehensively India would be able to divert and utilise it's share of the waters through building dams, canals etc. Pakistan has not been able to do the same and some of the unforeseen complications are the ones you listed
- The bigger threat to Pakistan is the capacity India is developing to drastically cut the flow to the rivers flowing west. India was always permitted to utilise the water in non-consumptive ways but some of the dams could in a conflict, be used to consume the water and starve Pakistan

uh huh. And still stay within the letter of the treaty

So far, nothing too bad has happened but I must say Pakistan has limited capacity to respond on this. You're in a real tricky position since the essential rules have not been violated as can be proved in a court. Not sure what your strategy is.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

So feel free to block India's water.

ok lets wait for the reverse flow of the rivers!

 

[Red-Indian]

name or link?

they have been trying like hell. They tried to get both a neutral expert and court case route to get two bites at the same topic. Biden admin encouraged thro' world bank, but lost interest. Besides Pak doesn't have the funds to pursue

uh huh. And still stay within the letter of the treaty

I'm hooked on Pakistonomy - Episode 144 - India's Notice to Amend the Indus Waters Treaty on Castbox. Check out this episode!

 

[ChennaiFan]

What is tiring is you being in denial and refuting the facts and reputable sources. Gave you an entire bunch. Thats been the issue so far - blame everything on Ind inspite of the facts and evidence

Expecting sound reasoning or logic from hatred filled trolls on the internet is not going to help you. My two cents.

 

[rpant_gabba]

Expecting sound reasoning or logic from hatred filled trolls on the internet is not going to help you. My two cents.

and holding yourself to higher standard when surrounded to nations/organizations/groups who are out to get you and who don't have the same standards is also detrimental your well being. applies to cricketing relations also

 

[rpant_gabba]

ok lets wait for the reverse flow of the rivers!

till then lets not whine about legal actions carried by India

 

[sweep_shot]

Some Indians think India can do no wrong. LOL.

It is a fact India is trying to restrict water to both Pakistan and Bangladesh. If you don't know about it, check online. Don't check biased Indian sources. Check different sources.

 

[nish_mate]

Some Indians think India can do no wrong. LOL.

It is a fact India is trying to restrict water to both Pakistan and Bangladesh. If you don't know about it, check online. Don't check biased Indian sources. Check different sources.

And preferably sources that have articles penned by Bagaldeshis and Pakiatanis with a chip over their shoulder.

someone's opinion doesn't make it a fact, neither stating this is a fact coz I and FB and some random website says so.

Right when are Bangladeshis and Pakiatanis going to start worrying about their water management policies. Perhaps invite a few experts from Canada and UK to help them.

 

[rpant_gabba]

Some Indians think India can do no wrong. LOL.

It is a fact India is trying to restrict water to both Pakistan and Bangladesh. If you don't know about it, check online. Don't check biased Indian sources. Check different sources.

Why don't post the judgements of court cases

you do realize there are treaty provisions for Pak and Ban to take action.

Pak has lost most of the cases.

India and Ban treaty expires in 2 years. then fun starts

 

[rpant_gabba]

As I said, depends if Pakistan sees this dam building as an existential threat. I can understand Modi's desire to weaken Pakistan, but cutting off water is not a step he should have authorised. I think Pakistan has been put in a position where dusting down the nukes is going to be the only language this madman understands.

Your mouth to almighty's ears. what south asia needs is good nuclear exchange. Pak will be wiped out and most of north india.

It might be best way forward.

Nevermind the fact that India is allowed to what it is doing under a treaty which Pak willingly signed.

 

[cricketjoshila]

India should withdraw from the IWT. It was a stupid treaty that India signed due to Nehrus idiocy.

The treaty gives away major share of water to Pakistan.

I don't think India will be part of the treaty too long from now.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Why don't post the judgements of court cases

you do realize there are treaty provisions for Pak and Ban to take action.

Pak has lost most of the cases.

India and Ban treaty expires in 2 years. then fun starts

Court cases aren't going to fill water reservoirs which are the lifeblood of populations in Pakistan. If it is going to prove an existential threat then at some point Pakistan has to blast those dams asunder. It might be nukes is the only way to do it.

 

[Varun]

Court cases aren't going to fill water reservoirs which are the lifeblood of populations in Pakistan. If it is going to prove an existential threat then at some point Pakistan has to blast those dams asunder. It might be nukes is the only way to do it.

Have any of your dreams that sound like this ever come true?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Have any of your dreams that sound like this ever come true?

Do you really believe policies such as restricting water to Pakistan and Bangladesh deserve a more serious response?

 

[nish_mate]

For those advocating nuking India, have they taken permission from their Chinese overlords, about their CPEC investments getting written off in retaliation....

 

[Theanonymousone]

Do you really believe policies such as restricting water to Pakistan and Bangladesh deserve a more serious response?

Is there any evidence of India restricting water to Pakistan till now?

How evil must one be to talk about nuking people so easily?
No one supports destroying livelihood of common people but geo-politics is centered around self-interests and having more control to protect their own interests. Don't need much explanation to see building dams falls in which category.

 

[cricketjoshila]

For those advocating nuking India, have they taken permission from their Chinese overlords, about their CPEC investments getting written off in retaliation....

These nuke lovers forget that India has nukes and Pakistan is way smaller in territory.

On a serious note, i believe India will withdraw from IWT in future. A very lopsided treaty.

 

[nish_mate]

These nuke lovers forget that India has nukes and Pakistan is way smaller in territory.

On a serious note, i believe India will withdraw from IWT in future. A very lopsided treaty.

Dont give 2 hoots about retaliation strikes, unless they believe in Islamic supremacy and Hindu Majority India will let it go....

 

[cricketjoshila]

Dont give 2 hoots about retaliation strikes, unless they believe in Islamic supremacy and Hindu Majority India will let it go....

What Islamic supremacy? The Jews are few in number, look at what Israel can do.

 

[nish_mate]

What Islamic supremacy? The Jews are few in number, look at what Israel can do.

Convince the nuke loving where PK can get away with bombing (nuke or not) Indian dams...

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

One can only imagine the hatred and sheer evil behind such plans to cut off water from shared rivers in order to stop water reaching those populations.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Stay on topic. No personal attacks and this thread is not about nuclear war so please.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Stay on topic. No personal attacks and this thread is not about nuclear war so please.

This is for everyone.

No irrelvant talks here. No Israel. no nukes etc.

stay on topic

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

War is an ugly business dude. Your country (the UK if you're confused who I'm referring to) fought a war using nuclear submarines against a third world country over a set of islands that were a couple of hundred miles from their landmass and thousands of miles from theirs for no reason other than ego.

For all of your moaning about Indian hatred and evil, and willingness to escalate on Pakistan's behalf to a nuclear war, can you point to a single independently verified instance of India taking Pakistan's share of water in the treaty both countries signed?

If capacity to destroy is equal to actual destruction, the US and Soviet Union should have flung all their thousands of nuclear warheads at each other during the Cold War and we should be living (or not living) in a nuclear wasteland.

Will India damming these rivers restrict the flow of water to Pakistan and Bangladesh?

 

[Red-Indian]

Will India damming these rivers restrict the flow of water to Pakistan and Bangladesh?

Only India's share of water i.e. the western rivers - Ravi, Beas & Sutlej. Earlier India used to use the waters only for hydro-electricity generation and divert some of them for irrigation and letting some flow through. Now we have ensure that hardly a drop of that water flows through to Pakistan - they are entirely diverted for irrigation. Though I suppose this is not healthy for Indus river system and deprived Pakistani farmers of water they used to traditionally get, Pakistan has not raised an objection since this is strictly in accordance with the agreement.

The contention is with the western rivers - Indus, Chenab and Jhelum whose waters belong to Pakistan. The dams India has built on them so far only use the water for electricity generation and retain nothing for irrigation. This is allowed as per the Treaty. The main issue is that India has built some higher than typical which could allow it to actually hold back the water if we chose to. Let's be clear - India is not doing that now and Pakistan has not claimed India is doing it. It's contention is with the design of the dams and the way they alter the flow of the rivers.

 

[Red-Indian]

Will India damming these rivers restrict the flow of water to Pakistan and Bangladesh?

I don't enough about the eastern side unfortunately. The Farakka barrage an it's implications are not something I have read about.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Only India's share of water i.e. the western rivers - Ravi, Beas & Sutlej. Earlier India used to use the waters only for hydro-electricity generation and divert some of them for irrigation and letting some flow through. Now we have ensure that hardly a drop of that water flows through to Pakistan - they are entirely diverted for irrigation. Though I suppose this is not healthy for Indus river system and deprived Pakistani farmers of water they used to traditionally get, Pakistan has not raised an objection since this is strictly in accordance with the agreement.

The contention is with the western rivers - Indus, Chenab and Jhelum whose waters belong to Pakistan. The dams India has built on them so far only use the water for electricity generation and retain nothing for irrigation. This is allowed as per the Treaty. The main issue is that India has built some higher than typical which could allow it to actually hold back the water if we chose to. Let's be clear - India is not doing that now and Pakistan has not claimed India is doing it. It's contention is with the design of the dams and the way they alter the flow of the rivers.

My view is those rivers belong to the lands where they flow. Any attempt to divert or block them which puts lives and livelihoods at stake for jingo bingo purposes is an act of evil.

 

[Local.Dada]

Will India damming these rivers restrict the flow of water to Pakistan and Bangladesh?

Pakistan or Bangladesh govts should take it up with Indian govt or raise it in international courts . Building dams from Indian side is not done to diss Pak of Bangladesh, it is done to benefit Indian citizens of those areas.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Pakistan or Bangladesh govts should take it up with Indian govt or raise it in international courts . Building dams from Indian side is not done to diss Pak of Bangladesh, it is done to benefit Indian citizens of those areas.

What Pakistan or Bangladesh govt response will be is up to them, here we are just talking as laymen. My view is that damming or redirecting rivers to benefit one nation's people at the expense of another's is an act of evil.

 

[Local.Dada]

What Pakistan or Bangladesh govt response will be is up to them, here we are just talking as laymen. My view is that damming or redirecting rivers to benefit one nation's people at the expense of another's is an act of evil.

as a layman I also think it is an act of benevolence as water and electricity problem of the poor people in that area will be fixed. I know building a dam for sure helps people of my country living in that region, if it is effecting someone else, at best I can empathize but I will leave it to the people who run the place to handle it. I am ok looking it at that way.

 

[cricketjoshila]

My view is those rivers belong to the lands where they flow. Any attempt to divert or block them which puts lives and livelihoods at stake for jingo bingo purposes is an act of evil.

More reasons for pakistan to withdraw from IWT.

 

[Red-Indian]

My view is those rivers belong to the lands where they flow. Any attempt to divert or block them which puts lives and livelihoods at stake for jingo bingo purposes is an act of evil.

I would say that's a crazy view in contradiction of Agreements signed by both countries. Both countries are in water deficit. The river flows through both countries. Both freely agreed to share them per a formula.

It's India's fault that it didn't build the capacity to fully use it's legally allotted share of the waters for 50 years and Pakistan's fault that it let it's farmers get used to waters it knew it wouldn't have in the future. Yes the recent spate of construction of dams is driven by jingoism to an extent but it's not wasting the waters it is legally taking. Water supply to farmers in Indian Punjab has hugely improved. Agricultural output has improved.

 

[Local.Dada]

Yes the recent spate of construction of dams is driven by jingoism to an extent but it's not wasting the waters it is legally taking. Water supply to farmers in Indian Punjab has hugely improved. Agricultural output has improved.

If building critical infrastructure is due to jingoism then it doesn’t sound like a bad thing lol.

 

[deltexas]

What Pakistan or Bangladesh govt response will be is up to them, here we are just talking as laymen. My view is that damming or redirecting rivers to benefit one nation's people at the expense of another's is an act of evil.

Do you even know what the indus treaty is? How the rivers are distributed? It is way more favorable to pak than ind. Ind got a raw deal . And through the decades inspite of 4 wars cross border terrorism etc etc - ind never played any river games.

Read the actual treaty here

Indus Waters Treaty - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[nish_mate]

Do you even know what the indus treaty is? How the rivers are distributed? It is way more favorable to pak than ind. Ind got a raw deal . And through the decades inspite of 4 wars cross border terrorism etc etc - ind never played any river games.

Read the actual treaty here before you post your biased factually wrong statements.

Indus Waters Treaty - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

The layman's view doesnt extend to China damming rivers in Tibet, therein lies the hypocrisy.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Do you even know what the indus treaty is? How the rivers are distributed? It is way more favorable to pak than ind. Ind got a raw deal . And through the decades inspite of 4 wars cross border terrorism etc etc - ind never played any river games.

Read the actual treaty here

Indus Waters Treaty - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

There was good reason for not playing river games, because water is a vital resource which shouldn't be put at the whim of jingo bingo. But clearly something has changed and now river games are being played despite there being no war footing.

 

[Local.Dada]

There was good reason for not playing river games, because water is a vital resource which shouldn't be put at the whim of jingo bingo. But clearly something has changed and now river games are being played despite there being no war footing.

games are usually played by 2 sides. Firstly no one builds a big and expensive project like a dam to diss someone.

I don’t build my house to diss my neighbor: now if he has issues with my property line he can speak/negotiate with me or take me to court. Same applies here.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

games are usually played by 2 sides. Firstly no one builds a big and expensive project like a dam to diss someone.

I don’t build my house to diss my neighbor: now if he has issues with my property line he can speak/negotiate with me or take me to court. Same applies here.

Both sides would be wrong.

 

[Local.Dada]

Both sides would be wrong.

Thats exactly where courts/law step in. This coulda woulda is for them to decide: the way I look at it, Indian govt is building a dam that helps poor people of my country. Thats all I need to know. If it is effecting the poor people of Pakistan then its their government problem.

Let me add; if some international body says India shouldn’t do it and it is killing or exploiting people etc etc then I will revisit my thought on this based on their verdict.

I don’t think there is anything else to say here.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

So feel free to block India's water.

Don't worry China is doing a good job.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Water is a scarce resource and must be earned through good deeds.

 

[rpant_gabba]

Don't worry China is doing a good job.

I'm not worried. India will limit what goes to Pak and Ban.

Part of India will suffer, but all of Pak (east and west) will suffer thanks to Iron brother. Will Pak launch nukes at Iron brother.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I'm not worried. India will limit what goes to Pak and Ban.

Part of India will suffer, but all of Pak (east and west) will suffer thanks to Iron brother. Will Pak launch nukes at Iron brother.

Yeah enjoy China's coutesy then... Regards Pakistan

 

[rpant_gabba]

Yeah enjoy China's coutesy then... Regards Pakistan

hope pak enjoys consequences of Iron brother's actions.

here is a preview

The Ravi River Conundrum: Politics, Pollution, And Peril – OpEd

The Ravi River, historically revered as one of the five rivers defining Punjab's identity, has endured a perilous decline, raising concerns over its environmental and geopolitical ramifications. Originating in the Himalayas, the Ravi winds its way through Himachal Pradesh, gracing the landscapes...

www.eurasiareview.com

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

This is inhuman to say

What humanity has Pakistan ever shown to people of India

 

[shortbread]

It is bewildering that, despite being aware of this vulnerability for over 75 years, no substantial efforts have been made to explore alternative solutions such as harvesting rainwater, desalination, cloud seeding etc...

Instead, the focus remains on blaming India and its dams, which seems all too convenient for the political class and establishment, who have known about India's manipulative tactics for decades. What are they waiting for—a change of heart from India?

As the struggle with water scarcity continues, it is evident that in another decade, the cycle will likely persist with the same narrative of Indians building dams, while proactive measures remain neglected.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I'm not worried. India will limit what goes to Pak and Ban.

Part of India will suffer, but all of Pak (east and west) will suffer thanks to Iron brother. Will Pak launch nukes at Iron brother.

The dams aren't being built in China. The idea would be to break the dams and release the water being hoarded by the evil entity so the nukes would be aimed at the dams.

 

[rpant_gabba]

The dams aren't being built in China. The idea would be to break the dams and release the water being hoarded by the evil entity so the nukes would be aimed at the dams.

sure. right after pak and its citizens will be living happily ever after.

ITs comical how clueless britistanis get their knickers ina twist over sovereign legal actions of another country in their land.

As I said before, lets hope what you say happens.

 

[deltexas]

Leaders have to meet and get this sorted out. Common people from both nations who have no stake in the war get effected. The farmers on both sides are the pawns and casualties for no fault of theirs. There is plenty of water ofor both countries assuming they channel the qater properly build dams correctly etc. The war in kashmir shoukd not cause a humanitarian water crisis nor should leaders play river games. Improve technology infrastructure etc- plenty of water available which is being wasted due to inefficiencies