World Bank President Ajay Banga clarified that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) does not include any provisions for suspension. He made these remarks during an interview with Indian broadcaster CNBC-TV18 while speaking in New Delhi.
“There is no provision in the treaty that allows it to be suspended,” Banga stated. “As the treaty was drafted, it can only be terminated or replaced by another treaty, which requires the agreement of both countries.”
He further noted that, from the Indian government’s perspective, the treaty has not been formally suspended but is currently “in abeyance” — a term used by Indian officials to describe its status.
Article XII of the IWT specifies that the treaty can only be modified through mutual agreement between India and Pakistan.
Banga explained the World Bank’s role in this process, saying, “The World Bank’s role is essentially that of a facilitator in the event of a disagreement. We do not make decisions ourselves but guide the process of appointing a neutral expert or establishing a court of arbitration to resolve the issue.” He added that the World Bank is also responsible for financing the dispute resolution process through a trust fund created at the time of the treaty’s signing, which covers the costs of neutral experts or arbitrators.
No clause allows suspension in ‘Indus Waters Treaty’, says WB president
