Pakistan Accuses India of Undermining Indus Treaty
Pakistan on Friday accused India of attempting to undermine the Indus Waters Treaty, a long-standing water-sharing agreement between the two countries signed in 1960. The allegation was made by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during a briefing with foreign diplomats in Islamabad.
Dar claimed Pakistan had observed sudden and unusual changes in the flow of the Chenab river, which he said raised serious concerns about compliance with treaty provisions. He stated that Pakistan had formally conveyed its objections to India through diplomatic channels.
Allegations of treaty violations
According to Pakistan, India has carried out water releases from upstream projects without advance notice, which Islamabad argues is inconsistent with agreed information-sharing mechanisms under the treaty. Dar described such actions as destabilising and warned that they could impact agriculture, food security and livelihoods in Pakistan’s downstream regions.
Treaty framework and current status
The Indus Waters Treaty governs the use of six rivers, allocating the eastern rivers primarily to India and the western rivers largely to Pakistan, while allowing limited use by India under specific conditions. Pakistan maintains that the treaty remains binding and has called for its full implementation.
India has not publicly responded to the latest allegations. New Delhi has consistently maintained that its projects comply with treaty rules and that it remains committed to its obligations under the agreement.
