Water Rights And Climate Change: An Analysis Of Transboundary Water Conflicts Amidst Environmental Challenges In The Indus Region With Specific Reference To The Indus Waters Treaty Of 1960

In the delicate dance of geopolitics and international law, the Indo-Pak water conflict emerges as a poignant illustration of intricate complexities, where environmental, legal, and human rights dimensions interlace. Nestled in the heart of the Asian subcontinent, the storied waters of the Indus River, a life-source for millions, have become grounds of contention, weaving intricate patterns of cooperation and conflict. Amidst this multifaceted dynamic, the spectre of climate change casts an ominous shadow, exacerbating the existing fissures and heralding new, unprecedented challenges. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), hailed as a beacon of bilateral cooperation amidst turbulent relations, now faces trials by the insidious, yet pervasive impacts of a changing climate. The Treaty, concluded under the aegis of the World Bank in 1960, has withstood the test of times and tides, arbitrating the shared usage of the Indus and its tributaries.[1] However, as climate change alters the hydrological landscape, impacting both the quantum and temporal distribution of these vital waters, the prescience and adaptability of the Treaty is increasingly being called into question.