Islamabad: In a sharp diplomatic pushback, Pakistan has warned that India’s escalating water-related tactics including attempts to disrupt river flows and unilaterally alter the Indus Waters Treaty ,could destabilize the entire South Asian region.
Labeling the move as “hydrological aggression,” Pakistani officials cautioned that any effort by India to restrict river water would be interpreted as an act of hostility, not just a legal violation. “This is not merely a treaty dispute — it’s a threat to our agriculture, economy, and national security,” a senior official said.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, has long been hailed as a cornerstone of water-sharing diplomacy between the nuclear neighbors. However, recent rhetoric and signals from New Delhi have raised alarms in Islamabad.
Both the World Bank and the Permanent Court of Arbitration have reiterated that the treaty cannot be terminated or suspended by one party alone. Legal and technical experts agree that unilateral action by India would breach established international norms.
Pakistan has called on the global community to intervene before tensions overflow into a full-blown crisis. “Water must not be weaponized,” officials urged, warning that regional peace may soon hinge not on borders, but on riverbanks.
