ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday warned that India’s aggressive water-related actions pose serious threats to peace and stability in South Asia.
Briefing diplomats in Islamabad, Ishaq Dar said India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in April 2025 and released water into the Chenab River without prior notification. He added that United Nations special experts have expressed concern over India’s actions, and that Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the UN Security Council.
The foreign minister stated that India’s measures violate international law, including Article 26 of the Vienna Convention. He accused New Delhi of making systematic efforts to undermine the Indus Waters Treaty, describing its recent actions as a clear example of using water as a weapon. Dar warned that such steps threaten Pakistan’s food security and have the potential to trigger a humanitarian crisis.
He emphasized that the Indus Waters Treaty is a key pillar of peace and stability in South Asia, reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding position that any attempt to block or divert water would be considered an act of war. “Pakistan will not compromise on its water rights,” he said.
Ishaq Dar further noted that India has halted the sharing of hydrological data and joint monitoring mechanisms under the treaty. He said India’s avoidance of dispute resolution mechanisms runs contrary to international law, adding that India’s interior minister has publicly announced that the treaty would not be restored and that river flows would be diverted.
He also pointed out that UN special procedures have raised concerns over India’s conduct, underscoring the seriousness of the situation and its implications for regional peace and international legal norms.
UN experts issue charge sheet against India over Indus Waters Treaty violation
