The Sindh-Tass Agreement, signed in 1945, was a crucial accord between the British colonial government and the province of Sindh, concerning the distribution of water from the Indus River System. It played a foundational role in the development of irrigation and water management in pre-independence India, particularly in the region that is now Pakistan.
Historical Background
During British rule in India, the Punjab province saw rapid expansion in canal-based irrigation systems, especially after the construction of the Upper Bari Doab and Triple Canal Projects. These massive irrigation schemes diverted significant quantities of water from the Indus River and its tributaries. Sindh, being downstream of Punjab, feared water shortages and potential harm to its agriculture due to upstream development.
To address these concerns, the Sindh government demanded a fair share of water resources and protested against new projects that did not consider the needs of lower riparian regions.
Formation of the Agreement
After prolonged disputes, the British government facilitated negotiations between the Punjab and Sindh provinces. These talks led to the Sindh-Tass Agreement of 1945, which laid out a framework for equitable distribution of the Indus waters between the two provinces.
Key elements of the agreement included:
- Recognition of Sindh’s rights as a lower riparian.
- A commitment from Punjab to consult Sindh before initiating new canal projects.
- A formula to regulate water flows, ensuring Sindh’s agricultural lands received sufficient irrigation.
Impact and Legacy
Although the agreement was a colonial-era accord, it set a precedent for inter-provincial water sharing in the region. After the partition of India in 1947 and the creation of Pakistan, water disputes continued between Indian Punjab and Pakistani Punjab, eventually leading to the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 between India and Pakistan.
Domestically, within Pakistan, the principles of the Sindh-Tass Agreement influenced later negotiations on inter-provincial water sharing, including the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord between the four provinces.
Controversy and Relevance Today
The Sindh-Tass Agreement is still referenced in debates about water rights, particularly when Sindh accuses Punjab of disproportionate usage of water from the Indus system. Many water rights activists and Sindhi nationalists cite the agreement as a historical document that supports their claims for a fairer share of water resources.
A Lasting Foundation for Water Sharing and Regional Cooperation
The Sindh-Tass Agreement remains a symbol of early attempts to manage shared natural resources equitably in South Asia. Though signed over 75 years ago, its principles continue to influence water policy, inter-provincial relations, and debates over sustainable water use in Pakistan.
