The Indus Water Treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, between India and Pakistan, is a critical agreement governing the water distribution of the Indus River system. Under this treaty, India was granted control over the waters of three major rivers of Punjab — Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — while Pakistan retained control over the Indus River and its two key tributaries, the Jhelum and Chenab. The treaty was crucial for both nations, as it not only provided a framework for managing shared water resources but also helped mitigate tensions over water distribution.

The diversion of the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers by India, along with the construction of the Indira Gandhi Canal, led to the irrigation and settlement of arid regions in India, such as Bikaner, and Jaisalmer. This irrigation network turned vast, barren lands into fertile agricultural areas, benefiting India’s economy.

However, in addition to the treaty, the growing impacts of climate change are increasingly affecting water resources. Six smaller rivers in India — Bharalu, Bahini, Varuna, Aasi, Mula, and Mutha — have dried up due to decreased rainfall and over-exploitation. Furthermore, the Yamuna River is facing significant environmental degradation from pollution and a lack of water. On top of this, concerns are rising that the Sutlej and Chenab rivers may dry up in the coming years, further straining the water distribution between India and Pakistan.

The situation is becoming more complex, and it is clear that the challenges surrounding the Indus Water Treaty are not only due to political agreements but also the environmental and climatic changes that impact the availability of water in the region.

For Sindh, the growing water scarcity and mismanagement of resources have sparked a sense of urgency. The plunder of Sindh’s water resources cannot be prevented without political awakening and strong public resistance from the Sindhi people. If they do not rise and demand action, there is a real risk that the Indus River, like the ancient Saraswati River (Haakarro), could vanish from the map within the next decade. The fate of the river, and by extension, the future of the Sindhi people, depends on this critical moment of collective action.

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