This article is authored by Gaurav Sen, senior research fellow, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

The treaty was intended to achieve the "most complete and satisfactory utilisation of the waters of the Indus system of rivers" in a "spirit of goodwill and friendship."

This article is authored by Gaurav Sen, senior research fellow, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.