World Bank Group Timeline
India and Pakistan sign Indus Waters Treaty
India and Pakistan sign the Indus Waters Treaty, the culmination of over a decade of negotiations between the two countries. The Treaty resolves issues of water use and new developmental uses. Beginning in 1952, the World Bank Group, led by President Eugene Black, provided mediation services during negotiations.
Resource Gallery
The World Bank's Role as Mediator in the 1950s
Originally published: September 2016
The exhibit commemorates the 56th anniversary of the signing of the Indus Basin Treaty by India and Pakistan.
Interview with Sir William Iliff (Notes)
Interview date: June 10, 1970
The notes summarize Sir William's description of Indus Basin negotiations between 1955 and 1956.
Chronology of the Indus Waters dispute negotiations
February 10, 1960
The timeline chronicles negotiations for the settlement of the Indus Waters dispute between India and Pakistan from August 1951 to January 1960 (1787263).
Announcement of the Indus Water Treaty signing
c. September 1960
The announcement of the treaty's signing also contains a description of the dispute, a history of negotiations between India and Pakistan, an outline of the treaty, a description of construction to be undertaken, and a map of the settlement plan (1787284).
Pakistan Indus Basin Multi-Purpose Project
P010016: Approved Sept. 19, 1960
The project partially finances the construction costs for works that enable Pakistan to use and develop its share of Indus River Basin waters.
Cover of the Indus Waters treaty agreement
Sept. 19, 1960
The Indus Waters treaty is signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan (30222036; Credit: The World Bank).
Minutes of the 11th meeting of the Washington Working Party regarding the Indus Waters
Sept. 7, 1960
At a meeting of the Washington Working Party, matters related to the publicity and signature arrangements for the scheduled signing of the Indus Waters Treaty are discussed (1788533).
Interview with Sir William Iliff
Interview date: Aug. 12 and 16, 1961
The World Bank Group's role in the Indus Basin negotiation process is discussed on pages 48-62.
Indus Waters treaty signing
Sept. 19, 1960
From left to right: Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India; Mohammed Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan; and William Illiff, World Bank vice president (30263783; Credit: The World Bank).
