Pakistan’s Kutch Diversion: Unpacking the Controversy
The Kutch region, straddling the India-Pakistan border, has long been a hotbed of disputes, with the latest controversy focusing on the so-called “Kutch diversion.” But what exactly does this term mean, and why has it triggered concerns in both countries?
Historical Roots of the Kutch Dispute
After the 1947 Partition, the princely state of Kutch joined India, while Sindh became part of Pakistan, leaving behind unclear boundaries in the challenging marshland of the Rann of Kutch. Tensions peaked in the 1960s, culminating in the 1965 Indo-Pak war, prompted by conflicting claims along the 24th parallel. Although an international tribunal resolved the broader border dispute in 1968—awarding India about 90% of the Rann—the crucial tidal estuary of Sir Creek remained outside the agreement, seeding future conflicts.scroll+2
Sir Creek: The New Flashpoint
Sir Creek, a 96-kilometer-long estuary, is now at the center of the Kutch controversy. The creek divides India’s Gujarat from Pakistan’s Sindh and serves as a key maritime boundary. Control over Sir Creek is not just about territory, but also about valuable offshore resources—oil, gas, and fisheries.telegraphindia+2
Both nations interpret colonial-era agreements differently: India claims the boundary runs along the creek’s mid-channel, while Pakistan insists it should follow the eastern bank, giving it control over more territory.lawreview.vermontlaw+1
The “Diversion” Issue
The term “Kutch diversion” often refers to Pakistan’s large-scale water management projects that impact water flow in the region. Of particular contention is the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD), a drainage project built by Pakistan in the 1980s–1990s with World Bank support. The LBOD channels saline and polluted water away from Pakistan’s Indus delta and towards the Rann of Kutch, causing flooding and contamination on the Indian side—without India’s consent.wikipedia
According to the Indus Waters Treaty, both sides must coordinate engineering works to avoid material harm, making unilateral actions contentious. Indian authorities maintain that the LBOD violates treaty provisions and damages salt pans and local ecosystems in Gujarat.wikipedia
Geopolitical & Ecological Stakes
The dispute goes beyond immediate territorial claims:
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Security: The area is militarily sensitive, with increased infrastructure and troop deployments raising fears of escalation.subhasishthakur+1
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Water and Livelihoods: Changes to water flow threaten agriculture and ecology on both sides, especially as climate change exacerbates water scarcity. Fisherfolk and farmers living in the marshes are often the first to suffer.
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Strategic Control: Dominance over Sir Creek impacts access to maritime zones and potential offshore resources, adding another layer to India-Pakistan rivalries.firstpost+1
The Road Ahead
Despite numerous diplomatic talks, the dispute has defied resolution. Recently, Indian leaders have issued warnings in response to perceived “aggression” or changes in Pakistani infrastructure near Sir Creek, promising robust military and diplomatic responses to safeguard national interests.organiser+2
Conclusion
Pakistan’s Kutch diversion controversy is a tangle of historical grievances, water resource disputes, and strategic ambitions. Until both nations find common ground rooted in cooperation and environmental sustainability, the Rann of Kutch and Sir Creek will likely remain flashpoints—reminders of how geography, history, and politics often collide at the edges of nations.
The Rann of Kutch and the Sir Creek region are back in focus, with India's armed forces set to begin military exercises, Trishul 2025, off the coast of Gujarat on October 30. For the exercise, the Army has deployed a division with tanks, armed helicopters and missiles, while the Navy has stationed frigates and destroyers. The Air Force has also sent its Su-30MKIs and Rafales.A Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued by India indicates the focal point of these exercises — the Rann of Kutch. The Notam covers a swathe of territory across north-west Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan, where these exercises will be carried out until November 10.
In recent weeks, the Rann of Kutch, a Kerala-sized patch of salt marsh between Gujarat and Pakistan's Sind province, has been in focus as a potential flashpoint between India and Pakistan.
During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan shelled Indian positions like the Sardar Post and Vigokot in Kutch, and a Pakistani drone was downed near a village in the region on May 10.
Six months later, rhetoric has sharpened the focus around the Rann and the Sir Creek — a 96-kilometre-long tidal channel snaking through the salt flats.
"Pakistan's recent expansion of military infrastructure reveals its intentions. Any misadventure in Sir Creek will invite a response so strong it would change both history and geography," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned at Bhuj military base on October 2.
