Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar issued a stern warning on Friday regarding the significant consequences of any unilateral interference with the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). He emphasized that such actions carry far-reaching implications.
Delivering the keynote address at a seminar titled “The Indus Waters Treaty: South Asian Security at the Crossroads,” hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, Dar underscored the treaty’s vital importance. He noted that the Indus Basin supports over 250 million Pakistanis, with their agriculture, food security, energy production, livelihoods, and economic growth heavily reliant on the waters of the Indus River system.
Dar stressed that water security in Pakistan is intrinsically linked to economic and food security, and ultimately to national security. He warned that unilateral interference with the treaty could have profound effects, not only destabilizing South Asia but also setting a dangerous precedent for international treaty relations worldwide.
He reiterated Pakistan’s firm and consistent stance that the Indus Waters Treaty remains valid, binding, and fully operational, despite India’s claim of placing the treaty in “abeyance.” Dar pointed out that India’s unilateral declaration in April 2025 to suspend the treaty lacks any legal foundation, as the agreement does not permit either party to suspend it unilaterally.
Furthermore, Dar emphasized that no party can nullify obligations under international law through unilateral political declarations. He highlighted that treaty-based proceedings have continued despite India’s assertion, reinforcing that unilateral actions cannot override an established legal framework.
Dar described the IWT as more than just a water-sharing agreement; it is a legal framework managing a crucial shared resource and a cornerstone of regional stability. He recalled that Pakistan and India signed the treaty in 1960 after extensive negotiations facilitated by the World Bank. The treaty allocated the three Eastern Rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—to India for unrestricted use, while the three Western Rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—were allocated to Pakistan, with India permitted specific, limited uses under the treaty.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the establishment of the Permanent Indus Commission and the mechanisms for resolving disputes, including the appointment of a neutral expert and, if necessary, a Court of Arbitration. He noted that this institutional framework was central to the treaty’s design and not merely incidental.
Despite wars, military crises, diplomatic breakdowns, and prolonged political tensions between the two countries, the treaty has endured. Dar pointed out that its resilience proves a vital principle: even the most challenging relationships can maintain cooperation when agreed rules are respected.
In a significant development, Dar concluded by stating that the issue transcends Pakistan and India, touching on the sanctity of treaties and the broader confidence in international law.
