Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty and Its Domestic Utility

Introduction: Why in News?

The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by India in the wake of Operation Sindoor has opened new debates on using water diplomacy as a tool for strategic and domestic advantage. This article highlights how Delhi, a significant beneficiary of the IWT, can potentially solve its water crisis by redirecting resources previously allowed to flow into Pakistan. It also sheds light on internal political and legal battles over water allocation and inter-state disputes.

This development is extremely relevant for CLAT Current Affairs 2026 and aspirants preparing for law and public policy exams, as it touches on international treaties, federal water-sharing, constitutional governance, and strategic national interest.

Point-Wise Summary for CLAT Aspirants

Indus Waters Treaty Context:

The IWT governs six rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab (Western Rivers – for Pakistan) and Ravi, Beas, Sutlej (Eastern Rivers – for India).
Delhi draws almost 30% of its water from eastern rivers covered under IWT.

Operation Sindoor Impact:

Triggered strategic reconsideration of India’s water treaty obligations.
India suspended the IWT, prompting Pakistan to request a return to the status quo.

Strategic Opportunity:

India retains full control over the eastern rivers even if the suspension is reversed.
Possibility of redirecting water to meet urban demands like in Delhi.

Water Distribution History:

In 1955, Punjab, PEPSU, Rajasthan, and J&K were allocated water via an internal agreement.
After PEPSU merged with Punjab, and Haryana was carved out in 1966, disputes arose over redistribution.
Central government allocated 0.3 BCM water to Delhi in 1976.

Delhi’s Current Water Crisis:

Receives water from rivers and groundwater but faces a shortfall of nearly 150 MGD.
Upgrades like the Dwarka Water Treatment Plant (WTP) are in progress.

Legal Framework:

The Upper Yamuna Board Agreement (1994) regulates water sharing among basin states.
Delhi’s water share is protected under Supreme Court directives.

Inter-State Tensions:

Disputes like the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) between Punjab and Haryana remain unresolved.
Renuka, Kishau, and Lakhwar projects are delayed due to riparian disagreements.

Potential Gains from Suspension:

Redirecting Beas and Sutlej waters from Pakistan to India (5.9 BCM estimated) could benefit Delhi and other northern states.
Could help address multiple inter-state and international water challenges.

Explanation of Important Terms for CLAT

Indus Waters Treaty (IWT):
A 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank between India and Pakistan, allocating use of six rivers in the Indus basin.

Operation Sindoor:
India’s recent military and strategic operation that revived discussions on restricting water flows to Pakistan under IWT.

MGD (Million Gallons per Day):
A unit of measurement used for large-scale water supply and treatment capacity.

Cusec:
Short for cubic feet per second, a measure of flow rate for rivers and canals.

SYL Canal Dispute:
A long-pending legal and political conflict between Punjab and Haryana over canal-based water distribution.

Upper Yamuna Board:
A body regulating water distribution among basin states—Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Strategic and Constitutional Relevance for CLAT 2026

Federal Structure: Inter-state water disputes are managed under Article 262 and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
Environmental & Urban Governance: Right to water is part of Article 21 – Right to Life.
International Law: Suspension of treaties involves international diplomacy and reciprocity, regulated under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
Public Policy: Balancing national interest and international responsibility in resource allocation.

Critical Analysis for Legal Essays

Can national interest override treaty obligations?
Should strategic assets like water be used as leverage in geopolitics?
How do inter-state disputes challenge India’s cooperative federalism model?

Conclusion

The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty offers India both a strategic and a domestic opportunity. As global water scarcity intensifies and inter-state disputes rise, such policy shifts demand careful legal, environmental, and constitutional evaluation. For CLAT aspirants, understanding how diplomacy, law, and infrastructure intersect in such landmark decisions is essential for cracking not only the GK section but also for excelling in legal reasoning and essay writing.

Created on February 15, 2025

ISRO successfully conducts its SpaDEX (Space Docking Experiment)

The number of attempts remaining is 2

1 / 20

1. How does ISRO's space docking contribute to future human space exploration?

1. Reduces interstellar mission costs.

2. Improves mission readiness.

3. Facilitates long-duration human stays.

4. Ensures space station assembly.

2 / 20

2. What is the expected launch year for the Bharatiya Antarix Station's first robotic module?

1. 2025

2. 2027

3. 2028

4. 2030

3 / 20

3. What system enables autonomous rendezvous and docking in space?

1. Manual docking procedures.

2. Autonomous systems for docking.

3. Docking enabled via thrusters.

4. Sensors for manual docking.

4 / 20

4. What is the maximum distance achieved during the controlled approach of the two satellites in ISRO's experiment?

1. 10 meters

2. 5 meters

3. 3 meters

4. 1 meter

5 / 20

5. Which country has launched a 40,000-ton naval ship in record time, demonstrating advanced manufacturing?

1. United States

2. India

3. China

4. Russia

6 / 20

6. What term describes the sharing of electrical power between two docked satellites?

1. Thermal control transfer.

2. Sharing electrical power between satellites.

3. Electrical sharing between modules.

4. Thermal insulation sharing.

7 / 20

7. Which Indian lunar mission will involve docking capability for bringing back lunar samples?

1. Chandrayaan-3

2. Chandrayaan-4

3. Gaganyaan

4. None of the above

8 / 20

8. Which space docking capability is required for constructing the Bharatiya Antarix Station?

1. Refueling systems in space.

2. Launching space habitats.

3. Docking modules for the space station.

4. Transporting cargo to orbit.

9 / 20

9. What altitude were the satellites maintained at during ISRO's docking experiment?

1. 250 km

2. 400 km

3. 500 km

4. 600 km

10 / 20

10. How many kilograms did each satellite used in ISRO's docking experiment weigh?

1. 150 kg

2. 200 kg

3. 220 kg

4. 500 kg

11 / 20

11. What is the primary purpose of the docking capability for India's future lunar missions?

1. Docking is not critical for lunar missions.

2. To build space stations.

3. To transfer lunar samples to orbit.

4. To develop better propulsion systems.

12 / 20

12. Which two satellites were used by ISRO to demonstrate space docking?

1. SDX02 and SDX03

2. PSLV and SSLV

3. SDX01 and SDX02

4. GSAT and SDX02

13 / 20

13. What year did NASA first demonstrate space docking through the Gemini VIII mission?

1. 1965

2. 1966

3. 1970

4. 1972

14 / 20

14. Which of the following nations first demonstrated autonomous space docking?

1. United States

2. China

3. USSR

4. USSR

15 / 20

15. Why is docking capability critical for space exploration?

1. To create collision-free orbits.

2. To support human survival in space.

3. To return lunar samples to Earth.

4. To increase satellite lifespan.

16 / 20

16. What does 'low impact docking' signify in ISRO's context?

1. High velocity docking to avoid delays.

2. Precision landing mechanism for rovers.

3. Low impact docking to ensure precision.

4. Unplanned docking to simulate emergencies.

17 / 20

17. What is the name of the mission through which ISRO achieved space docking?

1. SpaDEx

2. Chandrayaan-4

3. Shakti

4. Gaganyaan

18 / 20

18. India became the ____ country to demonstrate space docking after the US, USSR, and China.

1. Third

2. Fifth

3. Fourth

4. Second

19 / 20

19. What is 'space docking' in space exploration?

1. Joining two spacecraft in orbit.

2. Colliding spacecraft to test durability.

3. Connecting satellites for shared communication.

4. Detaching spacecraft for experiments.

20 / 20

20. Which Indian organization recently achieved 'space docking'?

1. ISRO

2. NASA

3. USSR

4. European Space Agency

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Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty and Its Domestic Utility