Pakistan Ministers Slam India’s Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty as ‘Cowardly’ and ‘Immature’

In the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 dead, India declared it was suspending the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 with Pakistan. The move elicited swift condemnation from Pakistan, whose officials referred to the move as “cowardly” and “an act of water warfare.”

Power Minister of Pakistan, Awais Leghari, responded sharply to the Indian move. Referring to a report by Dawn, Leghari described India’s act as a “reckless suspension” of the treaty and added, “Every drop is ours by right, and we will defend it with full force — legally, politically, and globally.”

Pakistan Responds Sharply on Indus Waters Treaty Suspension

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also joined in, referring to India’s action as “inappropriate.” He insisted, “There is no evidence … expressing their anger like this is inappropriate.” He also described the Indian announcement as a “knee-jerk reaction” that looked “immature and presumptuous.”

India’s move follows the heightened tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack. The Indian government blamed the cross-border terrorism on groups supported by Pakistan and announced that the IWT would be suspended until Islamabad “credibly and irrevocably” gives up support for terrorism.

Understanding the Scope of the Indus Waters Treaty

Signed in 1960 under the mediation of the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty governs the use of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. The system consists of the Indus River and its tributaries — the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Jhelum, and Chenab. Although India has unrestricted rights over the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), Pakistan possesses the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab).

India’s former Indus Water Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Saxena said this might be the beginning of the abrogation of the treaty. “Although there is no explicit provision in the Treaty for its abrogation, Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on Law of the Treaties provides sufficient room under which the treaty can be repudiated in view of the fundamental change of circumstances,” Saxena told PTI.

Impact on Projects and Future Developments

India can now have greater freedom in running and designing hydropower projects on the Western Rivers, such as Kishanganga, Ratle, and Pakal Dul. The treaty previously limited activities such as reservoir flushing, which is necessary for desilting. With the suspension in effect, India can conduct these activities whenever it wishes, particularly during non-monsoon seasons that would impact Pakistan’s agricultural cycles.

India had also been limited from holding over 3.6 million acre-feet (MAF) of water on Western Rivers, but these restrictions could now be removed. Saxena stated, “India will now have no restriction on storage on Western rivers, particularly the Jhelum, and India can take a number of flood control measures to mitigate floods in the Valley.”

Pakistan’s Irrigation and Agricultural Vulnerabilities

Most of Pakistani Punjab is reliant on water from the Indus and its tributaries. Withdrawal or alteration of flow patterns, particularly during planting seasons, could compromise agricultural yield. With data sharing on floods no longer a requirement, Pakistan might experience additional difficulties during monsoon seasons.

Furthermore, the Pakistani delegations’ visits to monitor Indian projects—required by the IWT—might be suspended now as well, weakening bilateral monitoring and trust further.

Historical Context and Repercussions

The controversy over the use of Indus waters existed before the treaty. Irrigation systems vital to Pakistan’s agriculture were left in Indian territory at independence, and early differences arose. The IWT settled most of these, but has also been a recurring source of contention regarding new Indian hydropower projects.

Previous Pakistani objections have derailed or entangled initiatives such as Baglihar, Salal, Uri, Chutak, and Nimoo Bazgo. But with the treaty suspended, New Delhi no longer needs to entertain Islamabad’s objections in pursuing similar projects.

Geopolitical Stakes

India’s move puts further strain on its already tense relations with Pakistan. The suspension may be used as leverage to push Pakistan into the restriction of support to cross-border terrorism, an issue of dispute since the 2019 Pulwama attack, following which India also sanctioned new hydropower projects in Ladakh.

India asserts that it is acting in the interest of national security and Pakistan’s non-adherence to its share of bilateral agreements. Pakistan’s political leadership, in turn, interprets the suspension as a violation of international standards and promises to retaliate using diplomatic and judicial means.

The actions that either side will take next, involving potential escalation, negotiation, or total renunciation of the treaty, will seal the destiny of water-sharing among the two nuclear neighbors.