Pakistan Seeks Global Support on Indus Waters Treaty
Pakistan has intensified its international outreach over India’s decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar warning that prolonged disruption of the 1960 water-sharing framework could have serious consequences for Pakistan’s economy, food security and regional stability.
Pakistan Seeks International Support on Indus Treaty
Addressing a virtual seminar organised by Pakistan’s embassy in the United States, Dar argued that India had no legal basis to unilaterally place the treaty in abeyance.
He said more than 250 million Pakistanis depend on the Indus river system for agriculture, energy, livelihoods and economic development, describing water security as inseparable from Pakistan’s national security.
Dar urged the international community to support restoration of the treaty and warned against using shared water resources as instruments of political pressure.
India Maintains Firm Position on Indus Waters Treaty
India placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance in April 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people.
New Delhi attributed the attack to Pakistan-linked terrorism, an allegation Islamabad has denied. India has maintained that normal treaty cooperation cannot resume until Pakistan credibly and irreversibly ends its support for cross-border terrorism.
The Indian government has repeatedly said its position remains unchanged despite Pakistan’s diplomatic and legal efforts.
Pakistan Warns of Regional Water Security Risks
Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to water scarcity, glacial retreat, changing rainfall patterns, droughts and severe floods.
He argued that weakening long-standing water agreements could create wider uncertainty over international treaty obligations.
India, meanwhile, has rejected rulings by a Court of Arbitration examining Indus Waters Treaty disputes, maintaining that it does not recognise the tribunal and that the treaty remains in abeyance.
