A historical appraisal of the water dispute in the Indus Basin, 1947-1960

This study proves that human needs are inseparable by historical factors. This appraisal is an effort to re-evaluate complex and perennial saga of Indus Basin by apportioning "history at the heart of a geo-political conflict". This thesis examines conflicting mechanism of territorial distribution that arose after partition of India on distribution of water resources. There was a wide gap between both countries regarding the suggestions on water sharing of Indus Basin. This exploration attempts to comprehend the gap between disputants and dispute by analyzing the role of World Bank in combination of financial issues. In reference to United States policy towards containment of communism laid interest in South Asia that engaged World Bank to intervene through achievement of Indus Water Treaty. This historical research uses qualitative approach, highly dependent on primary data collected from
The British National Archives and The British Library, both in the United Kingdom, sources also gathered in Islamabad from National Documentation Wing, National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Water Management Departments and
Punjab Archives, Lahore along with semi structured interviews conducted from high official of Governmental Water Institute and water experts. The finding shows that Permanent Indus Commission from both Pakistan and India should be strengthened to improve confidence building measures in order to avoid differences and disputes in Indus Basin. It significantly described the vast political and geographical impacts
of water dispute in Indus Basin with impacts, recommendations and current advancements in India and Pakistan. Another outcome of this research comprehends water game of South Asia by developing economic ties among contributors of Indus
Basin through diplomatic talks. This research also suggests new dimension to mechanism of dispute settlement through historical perspective in respect of adjustment towards environmental changes and water administration along with
improving geopolitical interests of countries lying in Indus Basin.