India has officially suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, marking a significant escalation in bilateral tensions following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives. This unprecedented move by India, announced on April 23, 2025, is part of a broader strategy to downgrade diplomatic relations and impose punitive measures on Pakistan, which India holds responsible for cross-border terrorism.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, has been a cornerstone of water-sharing between India and Pakistan for over six decades, surviving multiple wars and ongoing political conflicts. The treaty allocates about 80% of the Indus river system’s water to Pakistan and 20% to India. Specifically, India controls the three eastern rivers—Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej—while Pakistan has rights over the three western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
India’s decision to suspend the treaty means it will halt cooperation and treaty obligations related to the sharing and management of these waters until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ends its support for terrorism, according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. This suspension effectively puts Pakistan’s water supply, which is crucial for its agriculture and millions of people, at risk.
Pakistan has vehemently condemned India’s move, calling it an “act of war” and “water warfare.” The Pakistani government convened its National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which announced retaliatory measures including suspension of trade, closure of the Wagah-Attari land border, cancellation of visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Indian nationals, and suspension of the 1972 Simla Agreement. Pakistan warned that any attempt to block or divert its water under the treaty would be met with “full force across the complete spectrum of national power.”
The Indus Waters Treaty remains one of the few enduring agreements between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, designed to manage the complex hydrology of the Indus basin that spans both countries. The treaty includes detailed provisions for dispute resolution and does not allow unilateral suspension or termination, making India’s current move legally contentious and subject to international scrutiny.
Experts warn that the suspension of the treaty could have severe consequences for regional stability and water security. Pakistan depends heavily on the western rivers for irrigation and drinking water for over 240 million people. Any disruption could exacerbate tensions and affect millions of livelihoods.
