Since India placed the treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan has consistently argued before the international community that New Delhi's decision establishes a dangerous precedent for countries sharing transboundary rivers. India, however, has maintained that its position remains unchanged and directly linked to Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism.
Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India's position on the Indus Waters Treaty is consistent and unequivocal. He said the treaty remains in abeyance because of Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism and asserted that Pakistan must credibly and irrevocably abandon its support for such activities before any change in India's position can be considered.
Strategic experts believe Pakistan has moved into an increasingly difficult position of its own making regarding the treaty while refusing to acknowledge the consequences of its continued support for terrorist groups. They note that Pakistan, where Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was found hiding, continues to allow terrorists to use its territory to carry out attacks in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
In its latest effort to gather international support, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated earlier this week during a sparsely attended event that Pakistan rejects India's decision to keep the treaty in abeyance, insisting that the agreement remains valid, binding, and fully operative.
During the same event, former Pakistani minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari referred to the "nuclear option" while discussing the future of the treaty. He stated that Pakistan's nuclear weapons were not for ceremonial purposes and claimed that if all efforts to restore the Indus Waters Treaty failed, Pakistan must explore the nuclear option. Strategic experts have described the remarks as irresponsible.
India had also clarified in June 2025 that as long as the treaty remains in abeyance, it is no longer obligated to fulfil any of its commitments under the agreement. The MEA further stated that no court of arbitration, including what it described as an illegally constituted arbitral body with no legal standing, has the jurisdiction to examine the legality of India's sovereign actions concerning the treaty.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, has governed the distribution and utilisation of the Indus River system and its tributaries between India and Pakistan since 1960. The agreement was signed after nine years of negotiations and has remained one of the most significant bilateral water-sharing arrangements between the two countries.
India also pointed to growing international recognition of Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism. A joint statement issued by India and Japan following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi strongly condemned cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan. The two countries called for immediate international action to dismantle state-supported terrorist safe havens and financing networks.
During the same media briefing, Randhir Jaiswal also addressed Pakistan's military strikes inside Afghanistan. He said India had strongly condemned the airstrikes, which resulted in significant civilian casualties, including the deaths of women and children. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed India's strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, where India continues to maintain humanitarian assistance cooperation.
India's latest statement underscores that its position on the Indus Waters Treaty remains directly tied to Pakistan's actions on cross-border terrorism. As diplomatic tensions continue, New Delhi has made it clear that restoration of the treaty depends entirely on Pakistan taking credible and irreversible steps to end support for terrorism.
About The Author
.jpg)
Comment List