India Rejects Pakistan’s Allegations on Indus Waters Treaty Violation, Cites Cross-Border Terrorism as the Real Obstacle
India has firmly pushed back against Pakistan’s accusations of violating the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), asserting that the ongoing cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan is a key impediment to the treaty’s effective implementation.
Speaking at the plenary session of the first UN Conference on Glacier Preservation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Friday, India’s Minister of State for Environment, Kirti Vardhan Singh, criticised Pakistan’s remarks and condemned its attempt to politicise the international forum.
“We are appalled by Pakistan’s attempt to misuse this platform by introducing irrelevant and misleading references. We strongly denounce such actions,” Singh said during his address.
He pointed out that the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, needs to be re-evaluated in light of substantial changes that have occurred since its inception.
“There have been fundamental shifts — including technological progress, population growth, climate change, and most critically, persistent cross-border terrorism — all of which impact the treaty’s original framework,” he noted.
Singh emphasised that the treaty was built on principles of goodwill and cooperation, as reflected in its preamble. However, Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism undermines that spirit, making it difficult to uphold the treaty in good faith.
“It is Pakistan that is violating the essence of the treaty by enabling terrorism. Instead of making baseless accusations, it should focus on addressing its violations,” he added.
Pakistan’s Response at the Glacier Conference
The comments came in response to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who used the same forum to criticise India for its recent move to suspend the treaty.
Speaking on Friday, Sharif said, “India’s unilateral and illegal suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty threatens the lives of millions. It is deeply regrettable and crosses a red line.” His remarks were quoted by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper.
India’s decision to pause the implementation of the treaty followed a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. The suspension was part of a broader set of retaliatory measures taken by New Delhi against Islamabad.
Treaty Background and Conference Focus
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, governs the distribution of water from the Indus River system between India and Pakistan.
It has long been regarded as a rare example of sustained cooperation between the two countries, even during times of conflict.
The ongoing three-day UN Conference on Glacier Preservation, which concludes Saturday, is focused on the role of glaciers in global climate stability and water security.
Over 2,500 participants from 80 UN member states and 70 international organisations are attending the event.
India’s strong rebuttal and call for a reassessment of the treaty indicate a growing willingness to revisit older international agreements in light of modern-day geopolitical and environmental realities.
