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4 July 2026

Indus Waters Treaty and cross-border terrorism

The Indus Waters Treaty is a critical, named bilateral agreement that directly impacts India's national security and resource management, making it a high-probability topic for UPSC Mains questions regarding India-Pakistan relations.

1 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 is currently held in abeyance by India.
  • The Indian government has linked the revival of the IWT to the cessation of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan.
  • The Cabinet Committee on Security initiated the abeyance of the treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in 26 civilian casualties.
  • Operation Sindoor was launched by India as a response to the Pahalgam attack, involving strikes on terror targets within Pakistan.
  • India maintains that the IWT was predicated on the spirit of goodwill and friendship, which it argues has been undermined by Pakistan's long-standing support for cross-border terrorism.
  • The official Indian stance, as articulated by the Ministry of External Affairs, emphasizes that 'water and blood cannot flow together'.
  • India has expressed willingness to discuss the custody of specific terrorists whose names were previously shared with Pakistan.

Questions

  1. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has been a cornerstone of water diplomacy in South Asia. In light of recent tensions, discuss the challenges of maintaining bilateral water-sharing agreements in the context of persistent cross-border security threats. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Analyze the strategic implications of utilizing water-sharing treaties as a diplomatic instrument in international relations. To what extent can the linkage of transboundary water management with national security concerns impact regional stability and the efficacy of international law? 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. The Indus Waters Treaty, which is currently a subject of diplomatic contention, was signed in which year?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-04/indus-waters-treaty-and-cross-border-terrorism