UN Calls for Treaty-Based Sharing Amid Indus Water Row
The United Nations has issued a carefully worded reminder to nations to adhere to internationally accepted treaties when managing natural resources, following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan. The move comes in the wake of rising tensions between the two countries, particularly after the Pahalgam terror attack, which led to a dramatic shift in India’s policy on transboundary water sharing.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, responding to a question during a regular briefing, stated that he had not seen Home Minister Amit Shah’s reported comments, but added, “It is critical that natural resources be shared, based on mutually accepted treaties.”
India’s Sudden Halt to the Indus Waters Treaty
The suspension of the treaty marks a serious escalation. Signed in 1960 with World Bank involvement, the IWT has withstood decades of conflict, including wars and border stand-offs. It allocates control of three eastern rivers to India and three western rivers to Pakistan—vital for Pakistan’s agricultural system, which depends on these waters for about 80% of its irrigation.
Following the latest wave of cross-border violence, Home Minister Amit Shah suggested that water previously flowing into Pakistan should now be redirected to India’s own arid regions like Rajasthan, signaling a firm shift in strategic posture.
Regional Fallout and Global Concern
Pakistan has responded sharply, calling the suspension a breach of international obligations and warning of grave consequences. Its foreign ministry has labelled the move “tantamount to water aggression” and hinted that any unilateral redirection of river flows may lead to heightened military preparedness.
While the Indian government argues that the treaty cannot continue amidst sustained attacks on its soil, the international community, including the UN, has stressed the importance of respecting long-standing agreements, particularly those concerning essential resources like water.
The Broader Implications
The UN’s statement reinforces the global principle that shared natural resources must be governed through legal frameworks. In the case of the Indus Waters Treaty, it has long acted as a stabilizing mechanism despite political volatility between India and Pakistan.
With climate change increasing water stress in South Asia, and hydro-politics gaining new prominence in diplomatic discourse, the latest developments could set a precedent. Experts warn that a breakdown of such treaties can lead to long-term instability in already fragile regions.
