India's determined bid to review the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan is seen by some as a de facto declaration of a "Water War" against its neighbor, whose agricultural economy depends heavily on water from the Indus River system that first passes through India before reaching Pakistan.

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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is reviewing India's position on the Indus Waters Treaty as another way to punish Pakistan without having to wage war. In other words, India wants to wage a "Water War" and not a shooting war against Pakistan, which will be a world first.

The treaty, which was signed by both countries on September 19, 1960, is India's most potent weapon in its desire to inflict painful damage on Pakistan. The Pakistani economy depends heavily on agriculture and on the Indus River system that traverses both countries.

India sees this Water War as another form of retaliation for a series of attacks over the past two months by Muslim Kashmiri militants that have killed over 20 Indian jawans. India accuses Pakistan, specifically its Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency, as behind these terrorist attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The Indus Waters Treaty, which was brokered by the World Bank, was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan.

It was a result of Pakistani fears that since the source rivers of the Indus basin are in India, this fact can create droughts and famines in Pakistan, especially in times of war were India to block these rivers. That fear seems to be well-founded given today's tensions.

To calm this apprehension, the treaty stipulates India can use only 20% of the total water carried by the Indus River and its system of six rivers while 80% of total water can be used by Pakistan.

The treaty also gave control over the three "eastern" rivers (the Beas, the Ravi and the Sutlej) to India while control over the three "western" rivers (the Indus, the Chenab and the Jhelum) went to Pakistan. The waters of these six rivers flow to Pakistan from India.

Indian media said Modi and his Cabinet this week took a good look at the treaty, and received briefings from top officials from various ministries (including External Affairs and Water Resources).

Pakistan immediately responded to news India was reviewing the treaty. Islamabad on Oct. 20 warned of "appropriate action" if India violates the treaty. It also said it's closely monitoring the situation.

"Appropriate action will be taken in line with the Treaty in case of any violation by India," said Nafees Zakaria, Foreign Office spokesperson. He said India is making "desperate attempts" to divert attention from the "atrocities and human right violations" it's committing in Kashmir, a Muslim majority province.

He said Pakistan is highlighting Indian brutalities in Kashmir at world fora. He claims there has been "very substantive outcome" of these efforts and the international community remains concerned about the situation. 

TagsIndia, Pakistan, Water War, Indus Waters Treaty, Indus River system, World Bank, Jawaharlal Nehru, Ayub Khan, Nafees Zakaria