Pakistan has raised serious concerns over what it describes as India’s growing attempts to use water as a strategic tool, warning that such actions threaten food security, regional peace, and the foundations of international law. The issue has once again brought the Indus Waters Treaty into sharp focus, a landmark agreement that has governed water-sharing between the two countries for decades.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar recently briefed foreign diplomats in Islamabad, outlining Pakistan’s position and expressing deep concern over recent developments. He stressed that water is not merely a resource but a lifeline for millions of people, particularly in an agrarian country like Pakistan where livelihoods, food production, and economic stability depend heavily on consistent river flows.
Pakistan has pointed to unusual and abrupt variations in the flow of the Chenab River observed during two separate periods this year. According to officials, these fluctuations appear to have occurred without prior notification or data-sharing from India, which is a core requirement under the Indus Waters Treaty. Such actions, Pakistan argues, undermine transparency and erode trust between the two neighbors.
The foreign minister emphasized that any attempt to stop or divert water allocated to Pakistan under the treaty would have grave consequences. He stated that deliberately disrupting water flows could amount to a serious violation of international humanitarian principles, given the direct impact on civilian populations, agriculture, and food supply chains.
Beyond immediate water flow concerns, Pakistan has also raised objections to the design and construction of certain Indian hydropower projects, including Kishenganga and Ratle. Islamabad maintains that these projects violate the treaty’s technical provisions and increase India’s capacity to store and manipulate water, thereby creating long-term risks for downstream users.
Another point of contention is India’s alleged reluctance to engage with established dispute resolution mechanisms under the treaty, such as neutral expert reviews and proceedings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Pakistan views this as a deliberate attempt to weaken a framework that has historically helped prevent water disputes from escalating into wider conflict.
International legal forums have reaffirmed the continued validity of the Indus Waters Treaty, reinforcing Pakistan’s stance that the agreement remains binding and enforceable. Islamabad has urged the global community to take note of the situation, warning that ignoring treaty violations could set a dangerous precedent for international water-sharing agreements worldwide.
For Pakistan, the issue goes beyond diplomacy. Sudden changes in river flows can trigger floods or droughts, disrupt cropping cycles, and threaten food security for millions. Officials argue that responsible water management and adherence to international agreements are essential not only for bilateral relations but for regional stability as a whole.
As tensions persist, Pakistan continues to call for dialogue, transparency, and strict compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty, emphasizing that cooperation, not coercion, is the only sustainable path forward.
