The Indus Conundrum: When Water Is Both a Lifeline and a Faultline

The Indus Conundrum: When Water Is Both a Lifeline and a Faultline
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan, signed in 1960, has been suspended by India, citing “fundamental change of circumstances.” The treaty had allocated control of rivers and served as a model of cooperation. Pakistan, reliant on the Indus system for agriculture and power, warns that any diversion could be disastrous. Climate change—glacial melt, erratic monsoons, and rising demand—is further straining water resources. The suspension highlights how shared lifelines can become contested faultlines, with both geopolitical tensions and environmental pressures threatening stability in the region.