Restricting water flow to lower riparian in the name of pond filling needs attention. Upper riparian diverted 34 million acre feet (MAF) water out of eastern rivers before entering into Pakistan and launched run-of-river power plants spree on western rivers in last two decades. Water, energy and food nexus of this treaty bonds upper and lower riparian to comply with water governance principles. IWT gives both countries genuine share of eastern/western waters for domestic use, agriculture and electricity generation using Run-of-River Plants, subject to observing minimum level of water flow into lower riparian at Head Marala Barrage. This treaty has given control of three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) to India and three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) to Pakistan. IWT is founded on World Bank’s professionally prepared comprehensive terms and conditions keeping in mind future regional developments. IWT restrains both (India) and lower (Pakistan) riparian from pulling out of accord from fear of deadly consequences.

Riparian states have opportunities of harvesting water, power and agriculture by compliance to accords in letter and spirit. Indus Water Treaty is cited to be one of the few successful settlements of boundary water basin conflicts that has stood the test of times since last six decades. Water governance means who gets what water, when and how much, and who has the right to water related benefits.

The water governance doctrine refers to social, economic, administrative and political systems influencing the transboundary water use and management. Water, energy and food nexus of Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is presented in the light of water governance.

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