How Nehru signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 without having any discussion in the Parliament.
A look back at what happened, and how many MPs, even of Congress, felt India was betrayed in this deal between Nehru and Ayub. #Thread
2- On 19 Sept 1960, Nehru and Pakistan’s Ayub Khan signed the Indus Waters Treaty in Karachi.
The World Bank was a guarantor. By the time Parliament discussed it, the treaty was already a done deal.
3- The division was simple but unfair:
India got 3 rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), while Pakistan got the other 3 (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab).
In volume, 80% of water went to Pakistan, only 20% to India.
4- Nehru also agreed to pay Pakistan Rs 83 crore in foreign exchange (pounds sterling) to help them build new canals and dams.
This at a time when India itself faced a forex crunch.
5- When the treaty came up in Lok Sabha on 30 Nov 1960, it was only for a short 2-hour debate.
Yes! only 2 hours were allotted to 'discuss' this treaty. MPs were furious that they were never consulted before signing.
6- Many Congress MPs openly criticised Nehru.
Congress MP Asoka Mehta called this the “second partition.” After giving land in 1947, now Nehru was giving away rivers too.
7- Several MPs, like Congress' A.C. Guha and young Atal ji, said the deal made no economic sense.
India gave up most of the waters, still paid Pakistan, and would now see huge losses in irrigation and power potential.
8- The process itself angered MPs.
They felt Parliament was treated like a rubber stamp, given no real role, only asked to react after the deal was already sealed.
9- Nehru’s reply was defensive.
He said Parliament couldn’t 'handle' every international negotiation, and after 10+ years of talks, a decision had to be taken.
So, he decided to play dictator and went on with his wish.
10- He famously said: “We purchased a settlement, we purchased peace.” In other words, India gave money and water to buy peace with Pakistan.
So? Did we get peace? Did Pakistan stop infiltrating Kashmir? Did terror attacks end? NO! Then what exactly did Nehru purchase?
11- After the Pahalgam attack, the govt suspended the Indus Waters Treaty.
On 15th August, PM Modi called it “one-sided and unjust.”
For decades, our farmers suffered while our rivers fed Pakistan
Water and blood will no longer flow together.
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