India Refuses Engagement on Indus Waters Treaty Until Terrorism Concerns Are Addressed and Pact Overhauled
India has firmly decided not to resume engagement with Pakistan over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) until its long-standing security concerns, particularly those related to terrorism emanating from across the border, are meaningfully addressed.
In addition, New Delhi has made it clear that any future dialogue on the IWT would only be possible if the treaty, in existence for over six decades, is comprehensively restructured, official sources confirmed on Monday.
According to highly placed government sources, repeated overtures from Pakistan’s Water Resources Secretary, Syed Ali Murtaza, to initiate dialogue and address specific concerns raised by India have gone unanswered.
Murtaza, through multiple formal communications addressed to his Indian counterpart D, Ebashree Mukherjee, has expressed Pakistan’s willingness to engage in discussions aimed at resolving objections raised by New Delhi, particularly on contentious hydropower projects.
However, India has not issued any response to the letters and has decided to maintain its position of non-engagement.
“The government of India will not entertain any correspondence or initiate any communication with Pakistan on the Indus Waters Treaty until the broader issue of terrorism is addressed and a thorough revision of the treaty is agreed upon,” said a senior source familiar with the matter.
Diplomatic Fallout Following Terror Attack
India’s hardened stance comes in the aftermath of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed and dozens more injured.
The attack, believed to have been orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror groups, has further strained bilateral relations and prompted a sharp re-evaluation of India’s approach to long-standing treaties with its neighbour.
In response to the attack, India officially placed the IWT “in abeyance” and conveyed this decision to Pakistan via an official communication sent by Debashree Mukherjee.
The move effectively freezes bilateral cooperation under the treaty, which has thus far served as a rare example of enduring cooperation between the two countries despite several wars and ongoing hostilities.
The Indus Waters Treaty: A Historical Overview
Signed in 1960 under the aegis of the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty has provided a framework for the equitable sharing of the waters of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan.
The river system is composed of six rivers — the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Under the terms of the treaty, India has exclusive rights over the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — while Pakistan controls the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
Despite being considered one of the most successful water-sharing agreements globally, the treaty has faced challenges, particularly as India has sought to develop hydropower projects on its side of the border, which Pakistan has often opposed.
Several of these disagreements have escalated to international arbitration, leading to tensions over water rights and usage.
India Eyes Greater Utilisation of Its Share
Following the suspension of treaty obligations, India has turned its attention inward and is now planning a detailed study to maximise the utilisation of its share of waters under the IWT.
This study, to be conducted by leading water and infrastructure experts, aims to explore the full spectrum of India’s rights under the treaty.
It is expected to recommend the construction of new reservoirs, hydropower facilities, and irrigation systems to harness water resources more efficiently.
“The goal is to ensure that India makes optimal use of the water it is entitled to under the treaty, especially in light of changing geopolitical realities and national security considerations,” a source in the Ministry of Jal Shakti said.
A Call for a Treaty Overhaul
Officials in New Delhi argue that the treaty, which was framed over 60 years ago, does not adequately reflect present-day realities, including the escalating threat of terrorism and changing climate conditions that have impacted water availability.
The government maintains that any future cooperation on transboundary water sharing must be embedded within a revised framework that prioritises national security and strategic interests.
The Path Ahead
While Pakistan has repeatedly expressed its willingness to resume talks, India’s stance underscores a hardening of its diplomatic posture following the Pahalgam attack.
With the IWT now in limbo and no indication of an imminent thaw in relations, the future of the once-stable water-sharing agreement remains uncertain.
Diplomatic observers believe that the resolution of this deadlock would require not only strong political will on both sides but also concrete and verifiable action against cross-border terrorism, which India has consistently highlighted as a non-negotiable precondition for any future engagement with Islamabad.
As India moves forward with its study to maximise water utilisation, all eyes will be on whether the two nuclear-armed neighbours can chart a new, more balanced path forward on shared water resources — or whether one of the world’s most enduring water treaties will become a relic of the past.
