India suspends Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan over cross-border terrorism

Citing sustained cross-border terrorism and a recent deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India has decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, a decision that marks a significant shift in regional water diplomacy.

India has officially informed Pakistan of its decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty “in abeyance with immediate effect,” alleging that Islamabad has breached the conditions of the 1960 accord.

In a letter addressed to Pakistan’s Water Resources Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza, India’s Secretary of Water Resources Debashree Mukherjee said the country’s rights under the treaty have been compromised due to persistent cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan.

“The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mukherjee wrote.

The decision follows a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region on Tuesday, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. India claims the attack has created security uncertainties that directly affect the country’s ability to fully utilize its rights under the treaty.

India also cited demographic changes, a growing demand for clean energy, and Pakistan’s refusal to enter into negotiations on modifying the treaty as additional reasons for the suspension.

“Pakistan has refused to respond to India’s request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the treaty and is thus in breach of the treaty,” the letter stated.

Signed in 1960 under World Bank mediation, the Indus Waters Treaty governs the sharing of water from six rivers of the Indus basin. The suspension of the treaty could escalate tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors and has the potential to spark international concern over water security and regional stability.

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