Why Nehru signed and funded the Indus Waters Treaty that favoured Pakistan
The Indus Waters Treaty gave Pakistan control over most of the Indus system waters, while subjecting India, the upper riparian, to severe restrictions
In 1960, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru signed the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. Under this agreement, India ceded the waters of three western rivers of the Indus system — the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — to Pakistan. Together, these rivers accounted for nearly 75% of the total water volume of the entire Indus system. The remaining three eastern rivers — the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — were allocated for India’s use.
To help Pakistan build the infrastructure needed to utilise its share effectively, India also contributed £6.2 million to the Indus Basin Development Fund — an international financial arrangement supported by the U.S., U.K., Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the World Bank.
Why did Jawaharlal Nehru agree to such a seemingly unequal treaty over rivers that originate in India? Based on expert views and historical records, here’s the explanation in five sharp points:
1. Cold War pressure
At the time, the United States and Britain were deeply invested in stabilising Pakistan as a Cold War ally against Soviet influence. The World Bank (IBRD), under pressure from the US and UK, was anything but neutral — it aligned itself with Western strategic priorities. The pressure on India to sign the Indus Waters Treaty and avoid a prolonged water conflict was immense.
India may also have been swayed by General Ayub Khan’s 1959 offer of “joint defence with India” amid deteriorating India–China relations. This was not out of concern for India’s security, but a reflection of Ayub’s alignment with the West — Pakistan was a member of both SEATO and CENTO, which viewed the Communist bloc, particularly the USSR and China, as the greatest threat to their existence.