The Foreign Office has warned that any intentional move to obstruct water flows essential to Pakistan’s survival and development would carry far-reaching consequences.
Speaking during the weekly press briefing on Thursday, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said such an action could be treated with utmost seriousness and might even fall under the scope of an act of war in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
His remarks came in response to recent statements by India’s Water Minister C.R. Patil, who reportedly told an Indian media outlet that “not a single drop of water will go to Pakistan in the coming years,” adding that work in this regard was underway under directives from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reacting to these comments, Andrabi said any attempt to block or significantly reduce water flows vital to the livelihoods, agriculture, and well-being of over 250 million people in Pakistan would be “highly irresponsible.” He added that such measures would violate established international obligations related to transboundary rivers as well as the existing bilateral arrangements between the two countries.
He stressed that Pakistan rejects any effort to use water as a political lever or instrument of pressure, warning that such an approach would endanger peace and stability in South Asia and beyond. He further said responsibility for any escalation threatening international peace would rest with India.
Tahir Andrabi reiterated that Pakistan’s water rights and interests are non-negotiable. He said Islamabad would firmly defend them through all available diplomatic, political, legal, and economic channels in accordance with international law and the UN framework.
He warned that any deliberate disruption of water supplies critical to Pakistan would amount to an extremely grave development with far-reaching implications, as already emphasised by the country’s leadership.
Andrabi added that Pakistan retains the right to take all necessary steps in self-defence to protect its economy and population of over 250 million people. He urged India to act responsibly, respect its international commitments, and avoid rhetoric or actions that could heighten regional tensions.
He also stated that Pakistan is closely monitoring developments in Indian-administered Kashmir and other upstream areas linked to shared water resources.
In a separate response, the spokesperson commented on reports regarding the expansion of India’s nuclear capabilities cited in a recent assessment by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. He said the findings were not unexpected and aligned with long-standing concerns raised by Pakistan about India’s growing vertical nuclear expansion.
He pointed to developments in India’s strategic programme, including missile system enhancements, expansion of sea-based nuclear delivery platforms, and pursuit of longer-range intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities.
Andrabi warned that such advancements could have serious consequences for global and regional security, as they may increase operational readiness pressures and reduce crisis stability.
He clarified that Pakistan does not seek an arms race and is not focused on matching arsenals numerically, but remains attentive to shifts in the regional security balance.
Pakistan, he said, continues to work for strategic stability and deterrence against any potential aggression, while urging the international community to closely monitor evolving developments.
He also cautioned that deployment and expansion of nuclear capabilities in the region could undermine peace and stability not only in South Asia but globally, and called on technology suppliers to consider the implications of advanced military capabilities being integrated into India’s defence posture.
