The Indus Waters Treaty Debate: Modi Revives Questions Over Nehru’s Legacy

MGMMTeam
Aug 19
4 min read

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, has long been considered one of the most enduring yet controversial agreements between India and Pakistan. Now, more than six decades later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reignited the debate by sharply criticizing India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, for what he termed a “historic blunder.” At a recent National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parliamentary meeting, Modiji claimed that Nehru had effectively partitioned the nation twice—first with the geographical partition of 1947, and again with the division of river waters that overwhelmingly benefited Pakistan.

*PM Modi's remarks came during NDA Parliamentary meeting | NDTV*

Modiji’s Strong Criticism

In his remarks, Modiji described the treaty as an “anti-farmer” agreement that deprived India of the rightful use of its own rivers. He argued that under the treaty, nearly 80 percent of the Indus basin waters were handed to Pakistan, leaving India with very little control. According to Modiji, Nehru himself later admitted through his secretary that the agreement had brought “no benefit” to India. The Prime Minister framed the decision as a betrayal of Indian farmers, whose livelihoods depend on secure water resources.

BJP Leaders Join the Attack

Modiji’s criticism was echoed by senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Party President J. P. Nadda described the treaty as a “Himalayan blunder,” accusing Nehru of signing it without consulting Parliament or even his Cabinet. Other BJP leaders, including Jagdambika Pal and Ravi Shankar Prasad, called the move undemocratic and detrimental to national interest. Pal highlighted the absence of legislative discussion before the signing, while Prasad went further, pointing out that Nehru’s government transferred ₹80 crore to Pakistan as part of the deal. For BJP leaders, the treaty stands as an example of misplaced idealism and weak diplomacy.

The Treaty and Its Origins

The Indus Waters Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960, in Karachi, with World Bank mediation. It divided the six rivers of the Indus system between the two nations: the three eastern rivers—Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej—were allotted to India, while the three western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—were reserved for Pakistan. India was allowed only limited rights over the western rivers, primarily for non-consumptive use and small-scale projects. At the time, the treaty was hailed as a breakthrough in cooperation, surviving even the wars between India and Pakistan. Yet, critics argue that the compromise came at the cost of India’s long-term water security.

Legal and Diplomatic Flashpoints

The controversy over the treaty has escalated in recent months. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague recently issued a ruling in favor of Pakistan, directing India to abide by certain provisions in the design and operation of hydropower projects on western rivers such as Kishanganga and Ratle. India, however, has outright rejected the ruling, declaring that it does not recognize the PCA’s jurisdiction over the treaty. The Ministry of External Affairs argued that the arbitration panel was “illegally constituted” and that its decisions hold “no legal standing.”

This dispute comes against the backdrop of India’s suspension of participation in the treaty earlier this year, following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi’s move sent shockwaves across Pakistan, where the Indus system is considered the lifeline of its agriculture and power generation. Pakistani leaders have repeatedly warned that any disruption of water flows could escalate into a severe conflict.

Regional Consequences and Security Risks

The debate is not just about history; it is about the present and future of South Asia’s security. The Indus basin supports millions of farmers in Pakistan, making the treaty crucial to its survival. Experts warn that if India decides to accelerate dam construction or modify river flows, it could push the two nuclear-armed neighbors into dangerous waters, both figuratively and literally. Water, once a symbol of cooperation, is now increasingly viewed as a potential weapon in the India–Pakistan rivalry.

Reassessing Nehru’s Legacy

By bringing the treaty back into public discourse, Modiji has reopened broader questions about Nehru’s leadership and decision-making. Was Nehru’s signing of the Indus Waters Treaty a pragmatic act of peace-building or a naïve concession that compromised India’s strategic interests? Supporters of Nehru argue that the treaty helped stabilize relations during a volatile post-independence period and created a rare mechanism of cooperation. However, critics see it as a miscalculation that continues to bind India’s hands decades later.