In a significant move escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a pivotal water-sharing agreement established in 1960. This decision follows a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 26 Hindu civilians were killed, an act India attributes to Pakistan-based militants.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation, emphasized the incompatibility of diplomacy and terrorism, stating, "Terror and talks cannot go together; water and blood cannot flow together." The suspension halts data sharing and potentially allows India to increase water usage from the western rivers, actions previously constrained under the treaty.
Pakistan has formally appealed to India to reconsider its decision, expressing concerns over the significant impact on water access for millions of its citizens. The treaty's suspension has strained bilateral relations and raised regional water security concerns.
Despite a newly agreed ceasefire between the two nations, the IWT remains suspended. Indian officials assert that the treaty cannot function normally under the threat of persistent terrorism, emphasizing that peace and cooperation are only possible when there is a complete and verifiable halt to cross-border terror operations emanating from Pakistani soil.
The World Bank, a broker of the original treaty, has stated its role is limited to that of a facilitator and cannot intervene in the dispute. As tensions continue, the suspension of the IWT marks a significant deterioration in India-Pakistan relations, with potential implications for regional stability and water security.