Islamabad/New Delhi – Tensions between India and Pakistan have flared once again following a deadly attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, prompting New Delhi to announce the suspension of its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) — a landmark water-sharing agreement that has withstood wars, political shifts, and decades of animosity between the two neighbors.
The Indian government’s move comes days after a targeted assault in the Kashmir Valley left 12 tourists dead and several injured, an attack India has linked to Pakistan-based militant groups. In a swift response, India declared a "temporary freeze" on the technical-level talks and information sharing stipulated under the 1960 treaty.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has sharply condemned the decision, calling it an “act of war,” and accused India of politicizing a humanitarian agreement that has long served as a rare example of cooperation between the two countries.
What is the Indus Waters Treaty?
Brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty governs the use of water from the Indus River system, which includes six rivers shared by India and Pakistan. Under the treaty, India has control over the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej), while Pakistan has rights to the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab).
The agreement has endured despite multiple conflicts, making India’s suspension a rare and serious development.
A Strategic Shift or Political Posturing?
Indian officials have defended the move as a necessary step in the face of persistent cross-border terrorism. “We cannot continue normal engagement in areas of cooperation when innocent lives are being lost due to inaction from the other side,” said a senior Indian government source who requested anonymity.
Analysts in New Delhi see the move as a diplomatic signal rather than an outright abrogation. “India is not ripping up the treaty — at least not yet,” said defense analyst Meera Anand. “But it’s using the threat of doing so to exert pressure on Pakistan at a time of heightened emotion.”
Pakistan’s Response and Regional Implications
Pakistan has formally approached the World Bank, the guarantor of the treaty, urging it to intervene and ensure India abides by its obligations. “Any disruption to this treaty will have devastating consequences for our agriculture, power generation, and millions who depend on the Indus system,” said Pakistan’s Minister for Water Resources, Muhammad Iqbal.
Experts warn that escalating the issue could have grave implications not just for bilateral relations but also for water security in South Asia. “Weaponizing water in a climate-stressed region is a dangerous precedent,” said Shazia Malik, a hydrology expert based in Lahore.
What Comes Next?
While New Delhi has not made public any plans to alter water flows or begin projects on western rivers that could violate treaty terms, the suspension of technical dialogue raises alarms in Islamabad. The next few weeks will likely determine whether cooler heads prevail or if water becomes the new flashpoint in an already fragile relationship.