India has begun a bold overhaul of reservoir capacity at two major hydroelectric projects in Kashmir, in a decisive move following the suspension of a decades-old water-sharing pact with Pakistan. This marks India’s first direct challenge to the Indus Waters Treaty since its inception in 1960.
The operations at the Salal and Baglihar dams signal a strategic shift in New Delhi’s handling of cross-border river rights, undertaken after a deadly militant attack in Kashmir that left 26 dead—two of the attackers were identified as Pakistani nationals. In response, India pulled the plug on a pact that guaranteed Pakistan access to crucial water resources used by 80% of its farms.
Sediment-flushing began on May 1 and ran for three days. Carried out by NHPC Ltd, India’s largest hydropower company, and local authorities in Jammu and Kashmir, the effort involved opening dam gates to purge years of silt that had sharply reduced power output. For the first time since construction, the Salal (690 MW) and Baglihar (900 MW) plants are undergoing reservoir clearance—a process long stalled by treaty restrictions and Pakistani objections.
One official close to the operation said the aim was to reassert India’s control over river infrastructure and end foreign interference in its internal water management.
Residents along the Chenab River confirmed increased water discharge during the operation, which requires temporarily emptying reservoirs to flush out sediment. Experts noted that power output at both dams had fallen significantly due to silt buildup, and Pakistan’s resistance to flushing had allowed inefficiencies to persist for over a decade.
Islamabad has dismissed responsibility for the April attack and has threatened international legal retaliation. It warned that any move to alter river flows into Pakistan would be interpreted as an act of war.
Despite the rhetoric, analysts say Pakistan cannot afford to escalate, especially as India now exercises far more leverage over shared water flows. While the current operation may not immediately impact Pakistan’s irrigation, officials warned that if replicated across other regional projects, the consequences could be substantial.
India had, until now, complied with treaty obligations such as sharing hydrological data and issuing flood warnings. That compliance has now been halted. A former chairman of India’s Central Water Commission stated that the treaty’s suspension gives India the freedom to pursue its projects at will.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has tried to renegotiate the Indus Waters Treaty. Several disputes—particularly over storage capacities at Kishenganga and Ratle—have landed before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Now, with the treaty on ice, India appears ready to act unilaterally.
India’s water minister has declared that not a single drop of Indus water should be allowed to reach Pakistan—a statement that reflects the government’s hardening stance amid deteriorating ties with its western neighbour.
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