In a bold and definitive move, India has ruled out restoring the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah announcing that all water currently flowing into Pakistan will be diverted for domestic use. The declaration was made during an exclusive interview with The Times of India on Saturday, marking a watershed moment in South Asia’s geopolitical landscape.
A Treaty Frozen by Terror
India suspended its participation in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty after a deadly terror attack in Kashmir claimed the lives of 26 civilians—an incident Delhi blames on Pakistan-backed militants. Calling it an act of terror, India responded by putting the decades-old water-sharing pact “in abeyance.”
Now, Amit Shah has confirmed what many suspected: the suspension is permanent.
What the Treaty Meant
The treaty, brokered by the World Bank, gave Pakistan access to the western rivers of the Indus system—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—all of which originate in India. These rivers are crucial for Pakistan’s agriculture, providing water to 80% of its farmland.
India was allocated the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—but had been allowing large volumes of western river water to flow downstream into Pakistan as part of the agreement.
Water to Stay in India
Shah stated that India will now harness these waters for internal development, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. This could include new dams, canals, irrigation systems, and hydropower projects—significantly boosting India’s control over regional water resources.
A Strategic Shift with Global Ripples
This hardline stance is likely to:
- Deepen diplomatic tensions with Pakistan
- Heighten concerns about water scarcity in Pakistan
- Invite global attention due to potential violations of international water norms
- Signal a broader strategy of linking water access to national security
The Message Is Clear
By cutting off the Indus flow, India is sending an unmistakable signal: cross-border terrorism has consequences, and national resources will no longer be shared without trust.