India Blames Pakistan for Treaty Breach via Terror at UN Meet
At the United Nations Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, India accused Pakistan of breaching the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by supporting cross-border terrorism. Represented by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, India defended its April 23 suspension of the treaty, arguing that terrorism nullifies the goodwill and cooperation envisioned in the pact.
Treaty Suspension Justified by Persistent Terrorism
Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that “Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism directly undermines the sanctity of the Indus Waters Treaty.” He told the international forum that Pakistan’s behavior made the continuation of treaty obligations unsustainable. India’s decision to suspend the treaty followed the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives.
India emphasized that the IWT was founded on principles of peaceful bilateral engagement, and terrorism violates not just security norms but also the treaty’s moral and political foundation. Singh reiterated that agreements between states cannot function when one party actively enables hostility through terror proxies.
India Rebukes Pakistan’s Allegations at UN Forum
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier accused India of “weaponizing water” by suspending the IWT and attempting to politicize natural resources. However, India hit back strongly, stating that Pakistan’s attempts to portray itself as a victim while supporting armed militants is a mockery of international diplomacy.
India also criticized Pakistan for attempting to raise the IWT issue at a climate-focused glacier summit, calling it a distraction from the summit’s core theme of environmental preservation.
Climate Crisis Worsens Water Tensions
The debate over the Indus Waters Treaty comes amid growing concerns over glacial retreat in the Himalayas, which feed the Indus basin. Climate scientists warn that accelerated melting of these glaciers could drastically reduce water availability in the future, making transboundary cooperation essential.
Yet, India insisted that such cooperation is impossible without Pakistan ending its support for terrorism. As Himalayan glaciers shrink, India’s message was clear: long-term water sharing cannot exist alongside short-term security threats.
