It has been one year since India put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, a landmark water-sharing agreement signed with Pakistan in 1960. The move came after the Pahalgam attack in April 2025 and marked a major shift in India’s approach to managing the waters of the Indus river system.
Over the past 12 months, the impact has not been about stopping river flows. Instead, it has been about speeding up long-delayed infrastructure, improving dam operations and pushing India to make fuller use of its share of water. Experts note that India still lacks the storage capacity to significantly alter flows in the short term.
A shift in dam operations
One of the most immediate changes has been in the operation of existing dams. India resumed reservoir flushing at the Salal and Baglihar hydropower projects on the Chenab river. This process removes sediment that builds up over time and reduces storage capacity.
According to Reuters, India also began work to boost reservoir holding capacity at these projects soon after the treaty was put in abeyance.
Earlier, such actions were constrained by design restrictions, dispute processes and delays under the treaty framework. With greater operational flexibility now, authorities have been able to improve the efficiency and lifespan of these projects.
Fast-tracking key hydropower projects
The biggest visible change has been the pace of construction on major hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
Projects such as Pakal Dul with a capacity of 1000 MW, Kiru at 624 MW, Kwar at 540 MW and Ratle at 850 MW have seen accelerated work, according to Reuters.
These projects are part of the Chenab basin and are critical to increasing power generation in the region. Reports indicate that timelines for these projects are being advanced, with completion targeted between 2026 and 2028.
Together, they represent a significant push to tap the hydropower potential of rivers that were earlier underutilised due to design restrictions and delays under the treaty framework.
Revival of long-pending projects
The suspension has also led to the revival of projects that had been stalled for decades.
The Sawalkote hydropower project, with a planned capacity of 1856 MW, is one of the biggest examples. After remaining stalled for years, the project has now received fresh clearances and tenders have been issued, according to government-linked reports and media coverage.
Similarly, the Tulbul Navigation Project on the Jhelum river, which had faced prolonged delays, has been revived. The project is aimed at regulating water flow and improving navigation in the region.
Expanding the project pipeline
Beyond the headline projects, India has also pushed forward additional plans in the Chenab basin.
Projects such as Bursar, estimated at around 800 MW, and Kirthai I and II have gained renewed policy focus and are being advanced in planning and approval stages, according to reports.
The Dulhasti Stage II project has also been reported as cleared, which is expected to add further capacity to the existing infrastructure on the Chenab.
At the same time, government documents reviewed by Reuters suggest India is also considering new storage and canal projects that could help better utilise water within its territory.
Data sharing and cooperation
Another key change has been in the way India engages with Pakistan on river data.
Formal treaty-based data sharing has been suspended. According to Reuters, India is no longer obliged to share key hydrological data or minimum flow information under the treaty framework.
However, India has continued to share limited flood alerts on humanitarian grounds during periods of high water flow. This indicates that while institutional cooperation has paused, emergency communication has not been entirely cut off.
A broader policy shift
Taken together, these developments point to a clear policy shift. India is now focused on maximising the use of waters from the western rivers through infrastructure, power generation and improved storage.
Officials have also emphasised increasing dam capacity and improving efficiency across existing projects. The long-term goal is to ensure better utilisation of its share of western river waters.
Despite these changes, the full impact will take time to materialise. Large hydropower projects require years to complete, and new storage capacity cannot be created overnight.
For now, the past year has been about laying the groundwork. By reviving stalled projects, accelerating construction and changing operational practices, India has begun reshaping its approach to the Indus river system.
The coming years will determine how much of this potential can be translated into actual power generation and water utilisation.
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