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Water issue between Pakistan and India is crucial among other issues, the issue has potential to igniting the war between these two states, so it must be solve through mediator, because now both power has nuclear weapons so war must be avoided, and third parties must play their role to avoid further tensions between two traditional rivals.
According to 1960 Indus Water Treaty, India is not supposed to build dams for the purpose of water storage on the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers, but it is allowed to make limited use of their waters. India must provide Pakistan with the technical details of any water project, which India wants to develop on these rivers. Pakistan has raised objections on the technical provision of the Baglihar dam, including design, size, gated spillways, and water capacity. When India tried to violate the provision of Indus water treaty it was great alarm for Pakistan. Concern is growing in Pakistan that India is controlling the water flow of rivers that flow from India into Pakistan, especially the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum rivers that pass through India's Jammu & Kashmir state. In current scenario when Pakistan supporting US in global war on terror and Pakistan western border is not secure so Pakistan can't afford two front war east and west, while water issue can lead Pakistan and India toward war. US must play the role of mediator to solve the water issue between these two states, US official should negotiate with India and should pressurise India to solve water issue.
In 2003, Pakistan served a final notice to the Indian government, that Baglihar issue must be resolve by December 31, 2003. In 2005, Pakistan did approach the World Bank for mediation. So in 2007 the World Bank noted that it was "not a guarantor of the treaty," but appointed neutral expert Professor Raymond Lafitte of Switzerland delivered a conclusion rejecting most of the Pakistani objections. Professor Lafitte did demand India to make some minor changes, including reducing the dam's height by 1.5m. Notably, Professor Lafitte's judgment categorise Pakistani objections as "differences" and not a serious "dispute," Two years after the Lafitte verdict On June 6, 2009, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi accused India of violating the Indus Water Treaty. Qureshi further warned that any failure to resolve the water disputes "could lead to conflict in the region."
A number of Pakistani analysts warned that the water issues may push the two countries in nuclear war. Water issue with India is emerging as a serious crisis, which will have long-term implications on the agriculture output and will cause tension between the two countries. Control of Pakistan's water share by India is being seen as a major threat to the security and economy of the country. Diversion of Pakistan's water share by India will not just destroy the agriculture sector of Pakistan but it will also give India an added ability to cause floods in Pakistan during the monsoon seasons. Pakistan economy is not good condition, country facing electricity shortage while on other hand India diverting Pakistan's water. Pakistani analysts, pressure groups opposition parties and religious leaders think that India is controlling the river waters to destroy Pakistani agriculture, which could affect Pakistani exports and increase its dependency on food imports. So policy makers of Pakistan must think over it.
There is a realisation in Pakistan that the 1960 Indus Water Treaty that establishes legal framework for use of river waters has been to the advantage of India. In late June 2009, Pakistani Water and Power Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf observed that India does have a right to build dams, but that it cannot stop the flow of water into Pakistan in order to fill the dams.
Bilateral talks on India's water projects are continuing. But major powers must play their role as mediator to solve water issue. The water issue among these two nations can lead them toward wars. Still, with the ongoing dialogue, better understandings exists between the two sides, both are keen to keep relations normal and avoid another war; hopefully this water conflict will be resolved through diplomatic channels and without any conflict.
Sajida Khan Niazi, Rawalpindi
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