Pakistan has urged India to reinstate the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning of a looming humanitarian and agricultural crisis as water supplies dwindle. The decades-old water-sharing agreement, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, was suspended by India following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources sent an official letter to India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti, stressing the treaty’s critical role in providing water for agriculture, drinking, and hydropower to millions across the country. Officials warned that halting river flows could cripple crop production, reduce electricity generation, and put millions at risk.
India’s suspension of the treaty, announced on April 23, was part of a broader set of retaliatory measures, including visa suspensions, the closure of the Attari-Wagah border, and the expulsion of Pakistani military advisers. New Delhi has made it clear that any restoration of the treaty hinges on Pakistan ending support for cross-border terrorism.
The suspension marks a historic turning point for the IWT, which has endured even during wars and hostilities. Analysts fear that continued disruption could trigger broader regional instability, especially as climate change accelerates water scarcity.
As global attention turns to the subcontinent, diplomatic voices are urging both nations to return to the negotiation table to avoid further escalation and protect the vital Indus River lifeline shared by both countries.
