As per Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, India is working on its rights to stop excess water flowing to Pakistan under Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 to irrigate its own lands.
Background
India and Pakistan had signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 after nine year negotiations. World Bank was also a signatory.
Indus Water Treaty 1960
Indus water treat was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960. Under the treaty, all water of three eastern rivers viz., Ravi, Sutlej and Beas was allocated to India to use exclusively. On the other hand, water of Western rivers viz., Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab was allocated to Pakistan. However, India was given exception to use waters of western rivers for specified domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural use. India has also been given right to generate hydroelectricity under run of the river projects on Western Rivers. It is subject to specific criteria for design and unrestricted operation.
Indus River System
Indus River System comprises River Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. This basin is mainly shared by India and Pakistan. China and Afghanistan also have small share.
The Indus
Indus is a transboundary river in Asia and a trans-Himalayan River of South & East Asia. The river flows for a distance of 3,180 km after rising in Western Tibet. It flows northwest through Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan regions of Kashmir. Then it bends sharply towards left after Nanga Parbat massif. It flows through Pakistan before draining into Arabian Sea near Karachi.