Which of the following statements about the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, are true?
- 1. The treaty was signed between Jawaharlal Nehru and Field Marshal Ayub Khan at Lahore.
- 2. The treaty allowed India to generate hydroelectric power from the Chenab, Indus and Jhelum rivers.
- 3. The Permanent Indus Commission set up under it has one commissioner each from India and Pakistan.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- A2 and 3
- B1 and 3
- CAll of the above
- DNone of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (a) 2 and 3
Explanation
Statements 2 and 3 are true.
- Statement 1 is false: the Indus Waters Treaty was signed on 19 September 1960 at Karachi, not Lahore, by Jawaharlal Nehru and President Ayub Khan, with the World Bank's help.
- Statement 2 is true: the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) went to Pakistan, but India may use them for domestic use, farming and run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects. The eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) went to India.
- Statement 3 is true: the Permanent Indus Commission has one commissioner from each country.
(India put the treaty "in abeyance" in April 2025.)