Jammu, February 2026 — In a major strategic shift that signals a hardening of India’s “water diplomacy,” the central government is moving to completely stop the flow of the Ravi River into Pakistan by March 31, 2026. This development follows the near-completion of the long-delayed Shahpur Kandi Dam project, a move that promises to secure every drop of India’s allocated water under the 1960 treaty.
The Shahpur Kandi Dam: A 40-Year Odyssey
Located on the border of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, the Shahpur Kandi Dam is not a new concept. It was originally conceptualized in 1979, with its foundation stone laid in 1982. However, for over four decades, the project remained in limbo due to intense inter-state disputes between Punjab and J&K.
The current administration has fast-tracked the project, recognizing it as a critical piece of national infrastructure. J&K Minister Javed Ahmed Rana recently confirmed that construction is in its final phase, allowing India to finally redirect surplus water that previously flowed unchecked into Pakistan.
Securing the “Eastern Rivers”
Under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), India has exclusive rights over the three “Eastern Rivers”—the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Historically, due to a lack of storage facilities, a significant portion of this water crossed the border into Pakistan and eventually emptied into the Arabian Sea.
The completion of the Shahpur Kandi Dam will allow India to:
- Irrigate 32,000 hectares of land in Jammu & Kashmir, specifically benefiting the Kathua and Samba districts.
- Irrigate 5,000 hectares in Punjab.
- Generate 206 MW of Hydro Power, bolstering the regional energy grid.
Water as Geopolitical Leverage
This move is being viewed as part of India’s broader strategy to use water as a diplomatic tool. Following the suspension of certain IWT meetings last year, India has shifted from “passive allowance” to “active utilization”.
For Pakistan, this is a significant blow. Its agriculture remains 80–90% dependent on the Indus basin. While the Ravi is smaller than the Indus or Chenab, the loss of its surplus flow will place immense pressure on groundwater levels in Pakistan’s Punjab province, potentially triggering a water security crisis.
Environmental and Regional Impact
While the project secures India’s rights, experts highlight the ecological changes it may bring. Supporters argue it improves irrigation efficiency and prevents water wastage. However, critics point to the impact on downstream trans-boundary river ecosystems and sedimentary changes that occur when natural flows are obstructed.
Bottom Line
The era of India letting its allocated water resources go unutilized is coming to an end. As the gates of the Shahpur Kandi Dam prepare to close, India asserts its sovereign right over the Ravi. While Pakistan is expected to protest in international forums, India’s actions remain strictly within the legal framework of the 1960 treaty, marking a shift toward a more assertive and self-reliant water policy.
