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Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), World Bank President Ajay Banga has reaffirmed the institution’s neutral stance, emphasizing that the Bank’s role is limited to facilitation and not intervention in bilateral disputes.
Addressing media speculation, Banga stated, “We have no role to play beyond that of a facilitator.” This clarification comes in the wake of India’s recent decision to suspend the IWT following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region on April 22, which India attributes to Pakistani-based militants. The suspension marks a significant shift in a treaty that has endured for over six decades, even through multiple conflicts between the two nations.
The World Bank, which brokered the IWT in 1960 after nine years of negotiations, has historically acted as a neutral party in disputes arising from the treaty. Despite its foundational role, the Bank maintains that it does not possess the authority to enforce or alter the terms of the agreement unilaterally.
Banga’s visit to India, which included a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was primarily focused on exploring investment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh and is unrelated to the current water-sharing tensions. Nonetheless, the timing of the visit has led to speculation about potential diplomatic engagements concerning the treaty.
The suspension of the IWT by India has raised concerns in Pakistan, where the western rivers governed by the treaty are crucial for agriculture and daily water needs. Pakistan’s government has indicated plans to challenge India’s decision through legal avenues, including appeals to international bodies such as the International Court of Justice and the United Nations Security Council.
As the situation develops, the World Bank continues to monitor the proceedings, reiterating its commitment to facilitating dialogue but not intervening in the sovereign decisions of the treaty’s signatories.
For further updates on this developing story, stay tuned to official statements from the World Bank and the governments of India and Pakistan.
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