A Complex Balancing Act
The recent debate around the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), sparked by former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, brings a longstanding issue back to the spotlight. Abdullah’s call to revisit this 1960 agreement reflects the widely held belief that Jammu and Kashmir’s potential for hydropower remains curtailed due to treaty restrictions. He argues that the treaty limits local energy generation capacity, which could otherwise be a driving force for economic growth in the region.
The treaty, signed between India and Pakistan with the World Bank as a guarantor, divides river resources across both countries, allowing India usage of three eastern rivers and Pakistan access to the western rivers, which flow through J&K. Abdullah’s argument underscores the impact of such an arrangement on the region’s energy independence and economic potential, a pressing concern as J&K seeks to develop its infrastructure in step with the rest of India.
In response, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has voiced caution, warning that revisiting this settled issue could intensify regional tensions and benefit political interests, specifically those of the BJP. Mufti’s stance suggests a shift from her earlier years in government when she was often criticized for aligning with BJP interests at the expense of J&K’s autonomy. Today, Mufti emphasizes a need to protect the democratic stability of J&K, rather than stirring debates with cross-border implications.
Mufti’s cautious response may also indicate her priority for democratic governance within J&K over contentious, nationalistic narratives. By steering clear of moves that might worsen Indo-Pakistani tensions, she positions herself as a defender of local governance, contrasting with Abdullah’s push for economic redress through hydropower expansion.
As the discourse unfolds, it becomes clear that revisiting the treaty would require extensive diplomatic engagement, given the treaty’s endurance through decades of conflict. While addressing the treaty’s limitations could indeed benefit J&K’s economy, the potential risks make Mufti’s warnings pertinent. Both Abdullah’s and Mufti’s arguments reflect J&K’s struggle for development amid political and diplomatic constraints, underscoring the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes both regional stability and economic progress.
In balancing these goals, leaders should focus on cooperative frameworks that can support development without disrupting the region’s delicate peace.
