Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday warned India against any attempt to undermine the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cautioning that such actions could result in serious consequences for the region and the broader international order. Speaking at the inaugural session of an international seminar titled "The Indus Waters Treaty: A Key Instrument for Peace and Regional Stability" at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, Dar emphasized the treaty's critical role in maintaining stability in South Asia, home to nearly two billion people.
India's Unilateral Suspension of the Treaty
For over six decades, India and Pakistan amicably managed the Indus River system through the IWT, a transboundary water-sharing agreement signed on September 19, 1960. However, in April 2025, India suspended the treaty in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Dar stated that any attempt to deprive Pakistan of its lawful water rights under the treaty would have profound consequences for peace and security in the region.
Implications Beyond South Asia
Dar warned that disregarding international agreements when they become politically inconvenient weakens confidence in the international legal order. "The sanctity of treaties is one of the foundations upon which peaceful relations among states are built," he said, adding that the implications extend "well beyond South Asia." He noted that since April 2025, Pakistan has observed a pattern of objectionable measures by India, including abrupt variations in the flow of the Chenab and Jhelum Rivers and continuous efforts to expand infrastructure capable of regulating the flow of western rivers.
Water as a Lifeline for 250 Million People
For Pakistan, water is not merely a legal issue but a lifeline for more than 250 million people. Dar emphasized that agriculture, food security, energy production, and wider economic development rely on the uninterrupted flow of the three western rivers allocated to Pakistan under the treaty. "Protecting these waters is a matter of vital national interest," he underscored.
Call for Dialogue and Diplomacy
Dar advised India to refrain from actions that could heighten tensions, urging New Delhi to avoid "sowing the seeds of war" and placing the peace and stability of over 2 billion people at risk. He stressed that lasting peace in the region can only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy, and the treaty mechanisms established to resolve outstanding disputes, rather than through the use or threat of force.
Pakistan's Commitment to Peace
Highlighting Pakistan's efforts to ensure regional peace, Dar said the country has consistently adhered to principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, and faithful implementation of international obligations. He noted that a US envoy recently called Pakistan the "net security provider in the region" at an Oslo forum. Dar reiterated that any attempt to deprive Pakistan of its lawful riverine rights under the treaty would be met with stern opposition.
Legal and Diplomatic Avenues
Dar stated that Pakistan would use all legal and diplomatic avenues available under international law to safeguard its rights and interests. He recalled that the National Security Committee, comprising civilian and military leaders, unanimously decided to consider any attempt to divert Pakistan's share of water, stop its flow, or reduce its legal water rights as "an act of war." This decision reflects national consensus and reaffirms Pakistan's determination to protect its water rights.
UN Security Council's Role
Dar reminded India that it holds the presidency of the UN Security Council and has a responsibility to maintain international peace and security. He concluded by saying, "Shared waters must never be weaponised."
