Priyanka Tiwari
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India is shifting focuses to capitalize on hydropower projects like Kishanganga, Ratle, and Pakal Dul located in Jammu and Kashmir, now which serve not only as energy solutions but also as strategic levers of power over Pakistan. All of this follows with the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Takings Out of context, Pakistan has responded with sharpe comment deeming this an an act of war. PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto only heightened as violence erupts in the statement, saying “either our water or their blood will flow in the Sindhu (Indus).” Sources have described how the move has already shifted the political psyche in Pakistan, with many fearing Indian control and regulation over the western shores’ water flow.
Key Hydroelectric Projects Strengthening India's Position
India’s disputes with Pakistan over the use of the Indus River System have grown more heated in parallel to the acceleration of Pakistan and India’s development projects. India now has not need to regard Pakistan’s concerns at international platforms from now on. Collectively, all these efforts promise India not only arms but also energy resources and vital strategic control.
Kishanganga Project: Water from the Jhelum has already been diverted through a 23 km tunnel as part of this project, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modin in 2018 at Bandipora.
Pakal Dul Power Project: On the same day as the Kishanganga inauguration, the Pakal Dul cluster was started and is currently the largest hydroelectric project in Jammu & Kashmir with a dam of 167 meters in height which offers India considerable command over water storage and release while the project comes under 1000 MW plant. Expected date of completion lies in mid-2026.
Ratle Hydro Electric Project: The progress noted for this 850 MW project is remarkable as construction of the dam can now be done since the Chenab river has been diverted through the tunnels at Drabshalla in Kishtwar district. Work on Ratle continues although the Pakistan government has implicaton protests regarding the projects spillway and drawdown design but the 2021 approval of ₹5282 crores guarantees some work freedom.
Pakistan's Growing Concern Over Water Control
Each 12 months Pakistan seems to voice objections concerning other Indus Waters Treaty projects. The last interaction happened as per June last year when Kishtwar dam site visiting Pakistani officials exercises their check up. In contrast to the boundary policy we see India development in this cluster indication of treaty suspension approach aggressive policy direction after incidents like the Pahalgam sponsored terror attack.
The Treaty of Indus Waters, which was signed in 1960 by India's Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan's Ayub Khan under the supervision of the World Bank, is now all but defunct with India's new strategies for managing water resources driven by security considerations.
