Tensions rise as Pakistan rejects India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning of grave consequences and declaring a series of diplomatic and trade measures in retaliation.
New Delhi, April 24 – In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Pakistan has rejected India’s move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling the decision a violation of international norms and warning that any diversion of water from the shared river system would be treated as an act of war.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strongly-worded statement, asserting that all bilateral agreements, including the 1972 Simla Agreement, are now on hold. This move comes amid worsening diplomatic ties between the two South Asian neighbours, and signals a potential rupture in decades of water-sharing cooperation brokered by the World Bank.
Diplomatic and Trade Ties Severed
In retaliation, Pakistan has taken a series of tough measures:
Suspension of all trade relations with India, including indirect trade via third countries such as the UAE, Singapore, and Afghanistan.
Closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian aircraft, affecting both commercial and military flights.
Sealing of the Wagah border, halting all forms of Indian transit, including humanitarian crossings and cultural exchanges.
Declaration of Indian military attachés and diplomats as persona non grata, with the number of Indian diplomatic staff in Islamabad now capped at 30.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister stated, "India's unilateral action on the Indus Waters Treaty undermines the very basis of regional peace and violates long-standing legal frameworks. Any further provocation, including attempts to divert or restrict water flows, will invite a proportionate and firm response."
Indus Waters Treaty: A Historical Context
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with the assistance of the World Bank, has survived multiple wars and diplomatic stand-offs between India and Pakistan. It allocates control over the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan. The treaty has long been seen as a cornerstone of regional stability in water-sharing.
India’s latest move to suspend the treaty comes amid increasing cross-border tensions and a breakdown in dialogue over issues including terrorism and territorial disputes.
India Issues Travel Advisory
In response to the deteriorating situation, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued a high-level advisory, urging all Indian nationals to avoid travel to Pakistan under any circumstances. Indian citizens currently in Pakistan have been advised to make arrangements to return at the earliest opportunity.
A senior Indian official commented anonymously, “Our move on the Indus Treaty is within our rights as per Article XII of the agreement, which allows for unilateral withdrawal under extraordinary circumstances. We have kept the international community informed.”
Global Concerns and Calls for De-escalation
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating situation. The United Nations, along with the World Bank – which acts as a broker in the Indus Waters Treaty – has called for restraint and a return to diplomatic dialogue.
Experts warn that any disruption to the Indus river system could have severe humanitarian and ecological consequences, particularly for Pakistan’s agricultural sector, which is heavily dependent on river-fed irrigation.
Conclusion
With both nations hardening their stances, the Indo-Pakistan relationship has reached a new low. As diplomatic channels narrow, and critical agreements like the Indus Waters Treaty come under strain, the region faces uncertain days ahead.
