Indus Waters Treaty Timeline (1947-2025): Major Events, Suspension and What It Means for India?

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is one of the world's most important and lasting water-sharing treaties. In 1960, India and Pakistan signed the treaty, with the World Bank serving as a mediator, which regulates the use and administration of the waters of six rivers in the Indus River Basin—essential lifelines for agriculture, drinking water, and hydroelectricity in both nations.

Major Events in the Indus Waters Treaty Timeline

1947 Partition and Water Dispute:

The 1947 partition of British India separated the Indus River basin between India and Pakistan, making Pakistan the lower riparian. Important irrigation headworks at Madhopur (Ravi River) and Ferozepur (Sutlej River) fell within Indian borders, resulting in water use disputes.

1948 Water Withholding and Interim Accord

Following the end of the Standstill Agreement on April 1, 1948, India started withholding water entering Pakistan. An interim Inter-Dominion Accord on May 4, 1948, obliged India to provide water to Pakistan in exchange for compensation, as a stopgap arrangement.

1951 Pakistan's UN Complaint and World Bank Mediation

Pakistan escalated the water issue to the United Nations in 1951, blaming India for interrupting water supply. The World Bank, led by President Eugene Black, started mediation and technical negotiations to settle the dispute.

1960 Indus Waters Treaty signing

It took nine years of discussion for the treaty to be finally signed by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Pakistani President Ayub Khan, and World Bank official W.A.B. Illiff on September 19, 1960. The treaty came into force retrospectively from April 1, 1960.

Post-Treaty Developments

The treaty divided the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) between India and the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) between Pakistan. It also set up the Permanent Indus Commission for continuous cooperation and resolution of disputes.

Suspension of the Treaty in 2025

On April 23, 2025, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty after a terrorist attack in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. India stopped the flow of water from the western rivers to Pakistan and initiated various diplomatic and security actions, including shutting down the Attari border crossing for all traffic and requesting Pakistani nationals in India to depart within 48 hours.

Also Checkout: History of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK)

The Attari Border Closure

The Attari border, the most important India-Pakistan land trade crossing near Amritsar, was shut for all movement after the treaty was suspended. The shutting down of the border is a part of a wider range of diplomatic and security measures taken by India, such as dismissing diplomatic relations and recalling defence advisers. Shutting down of the border impacts trade and movement of people between the two nations, which is a demonstration of the seriousness of suspending the treaty.

This timelines shows the history of the Indus Waters Treaty, from its origins amid partition-induced disputes, through negotiation and implementation, to its recent suspension in 2025.

 lso Read | What is the Indus Water Treaty? Check the history and significance of this agreement

What the Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty Means for India?

Halt of Water Flow to Pakistan

• India has stopped the water flow from the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—into Pakistan, a major change in water-sharing after 64 years of cooperation under the treaty.

Closure of Attari Border:

• The Attari Integrated Checkpost, one of the key land borders between India and Pakistan on the Amritsar route, has been shut to all movement. Those who had entered India on valid endorsements were permitted to return through this route prior to May 1, 2025.

Visa and Diplomatic Measures

• India has revoked visas granted under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme to Pakistani citizens and requested those already in India on these visas to depart within 48 hours. Pakistan's defence, military, naval, and air advisers in the Indian High Commission at New Delhi have been expelled as persona non grata and have one week to depart. India has also recalled its own defence and military advisers from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

Increased Security Vigil

• Security units in India have been ordered to remain more than usually alert, particularly at the India-Pakistan border and Line of Control, to ensure there are no undesired occurrences.

Potential Future Challenges for India

• Water Resource Development:
  India may face challenges in expanding storage and hydroelectric projects on the western rivers due to technical, environmental, and regional considerations.
• Regional Water Diplomacy:
  The suspension could affect India’s relations with other regional stakeholders, including China and Afghanistan, who share parts of the Indus basin.
• Managing Border and Security Dynamics:
  The closure of the Attari border and heightened security measures require sustained resources and coordination to maintain peace and prevent escalation.
• Ensuring Sustainable Water Use:
  India will need to ensure that water use in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remains sustainable, especially given the ecological sensitivity of these regions.

So, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty shows a historic change in India’s management of the Indus basin waters and its bilateral relations with Pakistan. It provides India with increased control over western river waters and signals a firm diplomatic stance, while also introducing new challenges in water management, regional diplomacy, and security coordination.