ISLAMABAD: India’s recent diplomatic actions, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, have sparked concerns about the implications of such a move. However, former diplomats and international law experts have strongly stated that India cannot unilaterally terminate or suspend this agreement, which was brokered by the World Bank in 1960. The treaty governs the sharing of water from the Indus River between India and Pakistan, and its unilateral suspension would not only violate international law but could escalate tensions in the region.
Abdul Basit, former high commissioner of Pakistan to India, addressed the issue , stressing that the treaty is not something India can simply stop. “India cannot immediately stop Pakistan’s water,” Basit remarked, urging caution against panic. He also warned that India might take retaliatory actions, but he reassured that Pakistan is well-prepared for any such developments.
Supporting Basit, former PPP senator Sherry Rehman emphasized that treaties of this nature are not subject to unilateral suspension. She also recalled India’s past attempts to falsely blame Pakistan, citing a similar situation in 2000 during President Clinton’s visit when India falsely accused Pakistan of an attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mushahid Hussain Syed, former senator, and PML-N leader, stated that India was likely using the Pahalgam attack as an excuse to ramp up pressure on Pakistan. He warned that any attempt to cut off water would be a direct violation of international law, with severe consequences. Hussain further suggested that this could be a pretext for war, as such actions would escalate tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations.
The Indus River, which is crucial to Pakistan’s agriculture, has been a point of contention between the two countries. Since India controls the upstream waters, Pakistan has long feared that any restriction could devastate its agricultural sector. The 1960 Indus Water Treaty has helped maintain a delicate balance, but with the growing geopolitical tensions, experts worry that India’s actions may put this vital agreement at risk.
Pakistan’s government has called for international involvement, urging the UN to address the false allegations levied by India and ensure that the water-sharing arrangement remains intact. As tensions rise, the importance of dialogue and adherence to international agreements becomes more crucial than ever.
