The partition of British India in 1947 not only marked the birth of two nations, India and Pakistan, but also laid the foundation for one of the most enduring and contentious disputes in the region—the Indus Waters conflict. As the newly formed states grappled with the aftermath of partition, disagreements over the utilisation and management of the Indus Basin’s abundant water resources emerged as a major point of contention.

The geographical realities of partition left the headwaters of the Indus basin, the lifeline of Pakistan’s agrarian economy, within the boundaries of India. This imbalance created a situation where Pakistan felt vulnerable to Indian control over the tributaries that sustained its agricultural lands. In the immediate aftermath of partition, India began restricting the flow of water into Pakistan, heightening tensions between the two nations. Efforts to resolve the dispute through bilateral negotiations proved futile, leading to the Inter-Dominion Accord of 4 May 1948, which provided a temporary mechanism for water apportionment. However, this stop-gap measure failed to address the underlying issues, leading to further deadlock.

The turning point came in 1960 with the signing of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), brokered by the World Bank. Under this treaty, the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers were allocated to Pakistan, while India retained control over the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers. Despite this agreement, tensions have persisted, fuelled by India’s unilateral actions such as the construction of the Kishanganga dam, which threatens Pakistan’s water supply.

The Indus Waters dispute between India and Pakistan stands as a glaring testament to India’s aggressive pursuit of hydro-hegemony, wielding water as a potent tool to manipulate and coerce its neighbours. At the heart of this conflict lies the Baglihar dam, a symbol of India’s relentless drive to assert control over shared water resources and subjugate its neighbouring states.

Pakistani officials raise legitimate concerns regarding the design and construction of the Baglihar dam, pointing to violations of the Indus Waters Treaty. The dam’s towering height and expansive storage capacity far........

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