Pakistan's Foreign Minister Urges Respect for Indus Waters Treaty Amid Rising Tensions

In a stern warning to India, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized the potential repercussions of undermining the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), stating that any attempt to deny Pakistan its allocated waters would have "profound consequences for regional peace and security."

During a virtual seminar in Washington titled "The Indus Waters Treaty: South Asian Security at the Crossroads," Dar highlighted the treaty's significance, especially following India's controversial decision in April 2025 to suspend its obligations under the agreement. This decision came after a deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan—a claim that Islamabad vehemently denied.

Dar asserted that the IWT, established in 1960, remains "valid, binding and fully operative," despite India's unilateral actions. He pointed out that the treaty does not allow for either party to suspend it unilaterally, reinforcing that international law must be upheld. "If solemn treaty obligations can simply be set aside whenever political relations deteriorate, the very purpose of concluding the treaties is undermined," he warned.

Calling for cooperation, Dar emphasized that the geographical realities of river flows necessitate collaboration rather than conflict. He stated, "States cannot alter the direction in which rivers flow," and urged the global community to maintain the integrity of treaty-based water governance in South Asia.

He reiterated that the IWT has endured through numerous conflicts and political tensions over the past 65 years because both nations recognize the fundamental importance of water resources to millions of lives. Yet, he expressed concern that this principle now faces unprecedented challenges.

Pakistan has sought legal arbitration over disputes related to Indian hydroelectric projects on Western Rivers, and the Court of Arbitration in The Hague is continuing its proceedings. Dar affirmed that utilizing the Permanent Indus Commission or seeking arbitration is not confrontational but rather an exercise in adhering to agreed legal frameworks.

Highlighting the critical role of the Indus River system for Pakistan’s agriculture and economy, he noted that the livelihoods of over 250 million Pakistanis depend on it. "Water security for Pakistan is therefore inseparable from economic security, food security, and ultimately, national security," he stated.

Further linking the issue to climate change, Dar stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation and transparency, particularly as Pakistan faces increasing water stress and variability in climate patterns. He outlined three guiding principles for moving forward: respecting and implementing the treaty, addressing all disputes through established mechanisms, and restoring technical engagement.

In his closing remarks, Dar made a plea for the Indus River to be preserved as a source of life and cooperation rather than a point of contention. He concluded, "Shared waters must never be weaponised; they should remain a bridge between nations, governed by law and sustained through cooperation."

Source: www.dawn.com