What happened?
India temporarily halted water flow from the Baglihar dam on the Chenab river following the Pahalgam terror attack and its decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. This action is temporary as the run-of-the-river dam, built per the treaty, has limited storage capacity. Similar steps are reportedly considered for the Kishanganga Dam. The Baglihar project (900 MW) and Kishanganga project (330 MW) are hydroelectric power projects permitted under the treaty, despite previous objections from Pakistan which were largely overruled by international arbitration.
Why it matters to India
Temporarily regulating water flow from projects permitted under the Indus Waters Treaty serves as a non-military signal to Pakistan amidst heightened tensions following the terror attack, asserting India’s rights under the treaty while demonstrating resolve. This action underscores the strategic implications of water resource management within the framework of India-Pakistan relations and treaty provisions. It reinforces India’s response options beyond diplomatic and military measures, leveraging treaty-based mechanisms as a tool of statecraft in response to perceived cross-border provocations.