Pakistan has urged India to fully comply with the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling India’s recent suspension of the agreement a “weaponisation of shared natural resources” that endangers millions dependent on the Indus basin.
Key Points
- Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad addressed the UN Security Council, warning that India’s unilateral move undermines international water law.
- The 1960 treaty, mediated by the World Bank, divides six Indus basin rivers between both nations.
- Pakistan reminded the Council that the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) reaffirmed the treaty’s validity and ruled unilateral suspension illegal.
- Ahmad urged both nations to return to compliance and maintain data sharing on river flows.
Broader Context
The envoy linked environmental degradation, climate stress, and armed conflict as interconnected security threats, urging the UN to integrate ecological recovery into peace operations. He emphasized that water should serve as a tool for cooperation, not conflict.
Why It Matters
The dispute over Indus water projects has strained relations for decades. Pakistan’s latest appeal reflects growing regional concern over climate impacts and fair water management — issues central to South Asia’s stability and food security.