During a high-profile United Nations gathering commemorating World Water Day, Pakistan forcefully dismissed India’s recent statements as baseless and politically motivated attempts to undermine the longstanding Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The event, which focused on the intersection of water management and gender equality, became the stage for a sharp exchange when Pakistan’s Second Secretary Aleena Majeed exercised her right of reply following provocative remarks from the Indian delegation.
India’s representative had asserted that New Delhi would maintain the treaty in a state of suspension, or “abeyance,” until Pakistan undertakes credible and irreversible measures against terrorism. Additionally, the Indian envoy argued that changing technological, environmental, and demographic realities necessitate revisiting and potentially revising the decades-old agreement. The Indian side also lamented that previous efforts to negotiate modifications with Pakistan had failed to yield progress.
In response, Aleena Majeed expressed deep concern over these unfounded allegations and emphasized the resilience and historical significance of the Indus Waters Treaty, which was signed in 1960. She highlighted that the treaty has withstood multiple wars, severe crises, and enduring political tensions between the two neighboring countries, including the sensitive and protracted dispute over Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Majeed underscored that India’s unilateral decision last April to place the treaty on hold represents a serious breach of its legal and historical commitments under the agreement.
She pointed out that the treaty contains no clause permitting either party to suspend or alter its terms unilaterally. Majeed warned that such actions amount to the dangerous “weaponisation of water,” a tactic aimed at gaining narrow political advantage at the expense of millions of people whose livelihoods depend on the river system governed by the treaty. This move, she cautioned, threatens regional stability and the welfare of communities reliant on these vital water resources.
Further reinforcing Pakistan’s position, Majeed referenced ongoing international legal proceedings, particularly the Court of Arbitration’s supplemental award expected in 2025. This ruling reaffirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty remains fully valid, with its dispute resolution mechanisms intact and legally binding on both parties. The court clarified that neither India nor Pakistan has the authority to suspend or nullify the treaty independently. Majeed urged India to immediately resume full compliance with the treaty’s provisions to avoid further escalation.
Turning to India’s accusations linking Pakistan to terrorism, Majeed categorically rejected these claims as entirely unfounded and politically motivated. She argued that such allegations are a deliberate attempt to divert global attention from India’s own troubling record of state-sponsored violence and cross-border provocations. She highlighted India’s ongoing military and paramilitary actions in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as well as alleged state-backed operations abroad, including in North America.
Majeed also pointed to credible evidence suggesting India’s support for militant groups responsible for attacks within Pakistan, which have caused significant loss of life and instability. She reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast rejection of any attempts to use water resources as a political weapon and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to upholding international law and faithfully implementing all treaty obligations.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s firm stance at the United Nations underscores the critical importance of the Indus Waters Treaty as a cornerstone of regional cooperation and peace. The country remains dedicated to resolving disputes through dialogue and legal channels, warning that politicizing water issues only serves to deepen mistrust and jeopardize the well-being of millions who depend on these shared rivers.
