Indus Waters Sharing and Governance: The Jammu and Kashmir Perspective

The Indus basin has emerged as a geopolitical hotspot in South Asia, driven by the enduring water conflict between India and Pakistan, as outlined in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960. While the IWT remains a vital cooperative mechanism, it neglects the rights and perspectives of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Through the conceptual analysis of the treaty and the ARIA model of stages of dialogue, this article delves into the J&K perspective on the IWT by examining historical debates in both the J&K assembly and the Indian Parliament, the water sector and its management mechanisms in the region. Highlighting public response, findings argue that the treaty overlooks J&K's legitimate claims over the Indus waters, as the river traverses the region before entering Pakistan‐Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). J&K deems the IWT unjust and indifferent.