Pakistan has raised alarm over India’s unilateral move to put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, framing it as a deliberate “weaponisation of water.” For over six decades, the IWT has provided a legally binding and time-tested framework for the equitable allocation of the Indus River basin, a lifeline for Pakistan’s agriculture and energy needs. Ambassador Usman Jadoon’s address to the UN underscores that the treaty’s integrity is non-negotiable: downstream populations cannot be subjected to arbitrary disruptions of flows or withheld hydrological data without severe humanitarian consequences.
Water Insecurity as a Systemic Risk
Pakistan’s position is not merely legalistic , it reflects lived reality. The country, as a semi-arid, climate-vulnerable, lower-riparian state, faces compounding pressures from floods, droughts, accelerated glacier melt, groundwater depletion, and rapid population growth. These stressors make water insecurity a direct threat to food security, livelihoods, public health, and overall human security. By highlighting these systemic risks, Pakistan is urging the international community to recognise that mismanagement of transboundary rivers is not a bilateral concern alone but a potential catalyst for regional instability.
National Measures to Bolster Resilience
While India’s actions exacerbate vulnerability, Pakistan has proactively strengthened its water resilience. Initiatives such as ‘Living Indus’ and ‘Recharge Pakistan’ reflect integrated planning for flood protection, irrigation rehabilitation, groundwater replenishment, and ecosystem restoration. These measures demonstrate Pakistan’s commitment to responsible and sustainable management of its water resources, reinforcing the principle that downstream populations must be shielded from unilateral disruptions.
Global Implications and Call for Cooperation
Ambassador Jadoon’s appeal is clear, the IWT cannot be treated as optional or subject to unilateral suspension. Water governance in transboundary basins demands predictability, transparency, and cooperation. Systemic water risks are global in nature, and regional tensions over shared rivers have implications for peace, stability, and development. The upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference presents an opportunity to place international water law and collaborative governance at the center of global policymaking, ensuring that the interests of vulnerable downstream communities are safeguarded.
The Way Forward
The IWT dispute is more than a technical disagreement, it is a test of regional maturity, legal accountability, and humanitarian foresight. Pakistan’s steadfast emphasis on treaty compliance, combined with ongoing domestic water resilience initiatives, sets a precedent for lower-riparian rights worldwide. Stability in South Asia hinges not only on diplomatic engagement but also on recognition of the profound human and economic stakes tied to water security. The international community must support cooperative solutions that prevent the weaponisation of natural resources and uphold the rule of law.
Conclusion
India’s suspension of the IWT threatens Pakistan’s water security, agricultural stability, and broader regional equilibrium. Pakistan’s measured response, grounded in legal principles and bolstered by national water resilience strategies, highlights the importance of predictable, transparent, and cooperative transboundary water governance. Upholding the treaty is not a matter of politics alone, it is a necessity for human survival, sustainable development, and peace in the Indus basin. Without adherence to international water law, downstream populations remain exposed to profound environmental and humanitarian risks.
