India Suspends Indus Water Treaty, Price Pakistan Will Have to Pay for Fanning Cross Border Terrorism

In a major diplomatic move, India on Thursday formally notified Pakistan of its decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance with immediate effect, citing sustained cross-border terrorism as a direct breach of the treaty’s foundational principles. The decision comes just two days after a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists.

The treaty, signed in 1960 under the aegis of the World Bank, governs the distribution of water from six rivers of the Indus basin between India and Pakistan. While the eastern rivers — Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — are allocated to India, the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — are meant for Pakistan, with India having limited usage rights.

A formal letter from Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, was sent to Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary, Pakistan Ministry of Water Resources, stating:

“The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect.”

The letter further emphasized that Pakistan’s persistent support for cross-border terrorism and its refusal to engage in dialogue under the treaty framework constituted a grave breach of international obligations.

“The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” the letter read.

India also highlighted that the deteriorating security conditions and Pakistan’s non-cooperation have severely hindered India's ability to fully utilize its rightful share under the treaty.

“Apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India's request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the Treaty and is thus in breach of the Treaty,” the statement added.

Escalating Diplomatic Retaliation

This suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is part of a broader series of retaliatory actions taken by New Delhi following the Pahalgam attack. Over the past 48 hours, India has:

Expelled Pakistani military attachés

Closed the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari

Suspended all visa services to Pakistani nationals

Revoked existing visas issued to Pakistani citizens

A Strategic Shift

The suspension marks a significant shift in India’s approach to dealing with Islamabad. Though the Indus Waters Treaty has survived several wars and border skirmishes, this is the first time that New Delhi has opted to suspend its implementation, signaling a tougher stance on terrorism.

Foreign policy analysts suggest the move could intensify diplomatic pressure on Pakistan and force a re-evaluation of its current policies, especially in Kashmir.

The suspension of the treaty is expected to raise concerns globally, especially among stakeholders advocating for cooperative water sharing and regional stability. However, Indian officials maintain that national security and sovereign rights cannot be compromised.

More developments are expected in the coming days as both nations brace for heightened tensions in the region.