TV
In a significant escalation following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 Indians, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a crucial meeting with top government and security officials on Friday.
In this meeting, India decided to operationalise the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), asserting that it would ensure that not even a drop of Indus River water flows into Pakistan. The move has been presented as a stern countermeasure against continued cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.
Treaty Suspension: A Historic Shift in Policy
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil echoed the sentiment after the meeting, affirming the government's stance on social media. "We will ensure that not even a drop of water from the Indus River goes to Pakistan," he posted in Hindi.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti followed up with a formal letter to Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources, declaring that sustained terrorist activity had violated the principle of good-faith treaty obligations.
The 1960 treaty, brokered by the World Bank, gave India exclusive control over the three eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—while Pakistan received rights to the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
India had limited usage rights over the western rivers for irrigation, storage, and hydroelectric generation. With the suspension, these obligations have been nullified.
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How India plans to stop Indus water to Pakistan
India is initiating a multi-phase strategy to retain more water within its territory. The first steps would likely include large-scale desilting of riverbeds and expanding capacity at existing reservoirs to trap water before it crosses the border.
Mid-term and long-term efforts will centre on ramping up hydroelectric infrastructure. Projects like the Kishanganga (on a tributary of the Jhelum) and Ratle (on the Chenab) will be accelerated. Major storage projects such as Pakal Dul and Bursar will be critical to India’s aim of maximising water control for irrigation and power.
India may also explore the possibility of diverting water flows through tunnels and canals to route more of the Indus waters towards Indian states like Punjab and Rajasthan, thereby limiting any surplus from reaching Pakistan.
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Diplomatic and Legal Preparation Underway
To preempt international opposition, the government is preparing a robust legal argument explaining the rationale for suspending the treaty.
Diplomatic outreach is ongoing, especially with allies and neutral countries, to explain the context and severity of the decision. The government has assured that internal water needs will remain a priority and that disruption to Indian users will be minimal.
Pakistan has strongly opposed the move, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling any attempt to stop or divert water an “Act of War.” Indian authorities, however, appear undeterred and have reiterated that the move is a legitimate response to unrelenting provocations.
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Strategic Timing and Broader Implications
India’s decision to operationalise this suspension comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension, with water emerging as a strategic lever. Analysts say the move could reshape regional dynamics, especially given that nearly 80% of Pakistan’s irrigated agriculture and one-third of its electricity supply depend on the Indus system.
By asserting its rights and limiting Pakistan’s water access, India is sending a clear message that national security imperatives will take precedence over legacy diplomatic arrangements.
