5 hours Ago
New Delhi: In a major diplomatic move, India has formally placed the in abeyance and served a —a formal diplomatic communication—to the Pakistan High Commission. This follows the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali national. The Indian government cited Pakistan’s sustained cross-border terrorism and repeated violations of treaty obligations as the primary reasons behind the suspension.
The was delivered alongside an official letter from Water Resources Secretary Debashree Mukherjee, which stated that Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism directly impedes India’s rights under the 1960 treaty. “The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan,” the letter said.
The Indus Water Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the allocation of six rivers in the Indus basin. India controls the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—while Pakistan holds rights over the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. The treaty has long been seen as a rare example of peaceful bilateral cooperation despite broader tensions between the two nations.
Following the suspension, India announced a three-pronged plan—short-term, mid-term, and long-term—to prevent any Indus water from flowing into Pakistan. Jal Shakti Minister C.R.
Patil stated that dam capacity along the Indus basin will be increased, and measures will be taken to ensure that “not a single drop of Indian water is wasted.” All treaty obligations, including the sharing of hydrological data, meetings of Indus Commissioners, and advance notice for new infrastructure projects, have been suspended. India is now free to construct dams and other facilities on the Indus river system without consultation with Pakistan.
Pakistan swiftly condemned the move, calling it an “act of war” and a violation of international treaty law. Islamabad has denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack and has called for international mediation. The suspension is part of broader retaliatory measures by India, including cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals, closing key land transit posts like Attari and Obroi, and expelling Pakistani military attachés from New Delhi.
Experts warn that India’s decision could severely disrupt Pakistan’s agricultural economy, especially during peak cropping seasons, given its reliance on Indus water. The international community has urged both nations to show restraint and return to the dialogue table to resolve the escalating crisis..
