Indian Action on Indus Waters Treaty Raises Serious Concerns: A Threat to Regional Peace and Human Rights

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations high-level event, arranged jointly by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations and the Muslim-American Leadership Alliance (MALA), has highlighted the severe implications of India's unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance. The event, themed "Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan's Water Crisis: Challenges and the Way Forward," attracted a diverse range of participants, including diplomats, academics, policy practitioners, and water experts. The keynote speaker, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, emphasized that the treaty remains legally intact, with the Permanent Court of Arbitration reaffirming its validity in recent decisions. He warned that treating water as an instrument of political leverage is a grave violation of international law and human rights, and that the consequences of undermining the treaty are extremely severe, particularly for the lower riparian countries. The event's speakers emphasized the importance of water security, the humanitarian implications of its crisis, and the need for collective action to uphold the treaty's implementation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Indian action to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law.
  • The treaty remains legally intact, with the Permanent Court of Arbitration reaffirming its validity in recent decisions (June and August 2025).
  • The IWT is critical to regional peace and stability, and its weakening risks creating a new fault line in a region already marked by volatility.
  • The humanitarian implications of undermining the treaty are severe, particularly for women, children, and the poor, with water scarcity heightening vulnerabilities.
  • The Indus Waters Treaty has long functioned as a stabilizing force in South Asia, insulating a vital resource from political tensions and conflict.
  • The United Nations system, the World Bank, and civil society all have roles to play in reinforcing the treaty's implementation, facilitating dialogue, and promoting cooperative solutions.
  • The World Bank must reassert its role in mediation, and the UN must involve civil society to demand compliance with the treaty.
  • Strengthening enforcement and compliance processes is crucial to prevent further escalation, uphold international law and international humanitarian law, and preserve the treaty's credibility.
  • Improving water efficiency, irrigation systems, and resilience in times of crisis is essential for Pakistan to strengthen its capacity to respond to future shocks.
  • Addressing the water crisis is urgent and essential for ensuring peace and sustainable development, and is a critical aspect of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Statistics:

  • 45% of Pakistan's livelihoods primarily depend on the Indus (Dawood Ghazanavi).
  • The Indus Waters Treaty has long functioned as a stabilizing force in South Asia, insulating a vital resource from political tensions and conflict (Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad).
  • Water scarcity heightens vulnerabilities, particularly for women and children (Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad).

Sources:

  • United Nations Speakers at a high-level event arranged jointly by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations and the Muslim-American Leadership Alliance (MALA).
  • The statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN.
  • Remarks by Maha Khan, Chairperson of the Muslim-American Leadership Alliance (MALA).
  • Comments by Dr. Kishor Uprety, independent legal consultant.
  • Presentation by Dr. Masood Ahmad, former eminent water expert at the World Bank.
  • Remarks by Barrister Dawood Ghazanavi, Maha Khan, Dr. Kishor Uprety, Dr. Masood Ahmad, Shahmeer Helapota, and Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN.