India's Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: Impact and Implications

India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan has far-reaching consequences. The treaty, which divided the Indus River and its tributaries between the two nations, has now been put on hold until Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism. This move allows India to proceed with projects on the rivers despite Pakistan's objections. With the treaty suspended, India can now take flood control measures without restrictions on storage in Western rivers, particularly the Jhelum. However, this decision also means India will stop sharing water-flow data with Pakistan, potentially impacting water availability in Punjab. The halt in inspections by Pakistani officials and the freedom to build projects along the rivers without design constraints are other significant changes resulting from the suspension of the treaty. These developments could have a major psychological impact on Pakistan and may strain its economy further. As such, the repercussions of this decision on both countries remain to be seen.