In a stimulating discussion on The Sunday Guardian Podcast with Joyeeta Basu, renowned economist and ex-Union Secretary Dr. Ajay Dua called upon the government of India to strongly stand on its rights to insist on exercising its full rights under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
Citing the 1960 India-Pakistan agreement facilitated by the World Bank, Dr. Dua contended that India has been too restrained in utilizing the water resources of the western rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
“Indus Waters Treaty, in my opinion, is the most bounteous water treaty in the world, where a nation has agreed to permit its rival to use 80% of its water,” averred Dr. Dua.
India Should Make Use of Its Treaty Rights
Dr. Dua says that India is entitled by the treaty to utilise the western rivers for limited irrigation, generating hydro electricity, and storage. Yet, the nation has not made full use of its rights.
“We have bound ourselves by not constructing dams or storage plants on the western rivers to which we are entitled under the treaty,” he noted.
He added that despite many decades, India only employs less than 10% of its rightful quantum from these rivers.
‘India Needs a Bold Policy Shift’
Dr. Dua in the podcast promoted a clear policy transformation by the Indian government.
“India must stand up for its water rights. We’ve been too meek. It’s time to rethink the treaty,” he asserted.
He condemned India’s soft policy in the wake of Pakistan’s persistent international litigation attempts and aggressive conduct.
“Yet, despite Pakistan’s patronage to terror and repeated attempts to bring the issue to the international court, we have kept the treaty in good faith,” stressed Dr. Dua.
Geopolitical and Environmental Aspects
Dr. Dua pointed out that beyond geopolitical considerations, India’s water policy also has to account for domestic development and future needs.
“Actually, we’re not even utilizing 10% of our rights. It’s for our internal growth and for making a statement to the world,” he added.
He cautioned that climate change and growing water scarcity would make this problem more severe in the next decades.
“Water is going to be the new challenge of oil. If we don’t wake up now, we’ll be compromising the interests of our future generations,” he said.
Podcast Platform for Strategic Dialogue
The podcast, presented by Joyeeta Basu, is an important platform for policy discussions and debates on national interest. This episode featuring Dr. Dua highlights how strategic inertia has been preventing India from standing up for its rightful position under the IWT.
Dr. Dua’s observations present a compelling argument for India to reassess its traditional water-sharing policies, particularly in the context of ongoing hostilities and evolving environmental circumstances.
