New Delhi: India has halted the water flow through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River, and similar measures are planned at the Kishanganga Dam on the Neelum River, according to reports from Kashmir Media Service. These actions indicate a potential shift in India’s management of water resources shared with Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty.

The Baglihar Dam, situated in Ramban, Jammu, has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan for years. In the past, Pakistan has sought arbitration from the World Bank regarding the dam’s operations. Similarly, the Kishanganga Dam in north Kashmir, located in the region of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, has been subject to legal and diplomatic discussions. Concerns have been raised about its impact on the Neelum River, a tributary of the Jhelum River.

The Indus Waters Treaty, established in 1960 with the World Bank’s assistance, has long governed the use of the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries. The treaty is considered a critical framework for water sharing, providing guidelines and mechanisms for cooperation and conflict resolution.

India’s ability to regulate water releases through these hydroelectric dams has strategic implications. This potential to control water flow highlights the importance of these infrastructures in regional water management and geopolitical relations.

The developments at the Baglihar and Kishanganga Dams underscore the ongoing complexities and sensitivities surrounding water resource management between India and Pakistan. The situation remains closely monitored by both nations and international observers.