New York [US]: In a strong and unequivocal statement at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India accused Pakistan of spreading disinformation regarding the Indus Water Treaty and reaffirmed its commitment to responsible water management amid persistent cross-border terrorism.
At the Arria Formula Meeting on “Protecting Water in Armed Conflict – Protecting Civilian Lives”, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, directly addressed Pakistan’s recent assertions and labeled them as “distorted and obstructionist.”
“India entered into the Indus Water Treaty 65 years ago in good faith,” Harish said. “But Pakistan has violated the spirit of this treaty by inflicting three wars and enabling thousands of terror attacks that have claimed over 20,000 Indian lives over the last four decades.”
Key Points from India’s Statement:
- Terrorism Undermining the Treaty:
Harish criticized Pakistan’s state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, emphasizing that it not only violates international norms but also endangers water-related infrastructure and civilian lives. - Citing the Pahalgam Attack:
He recalled the recent terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam as a reminder of Pakistan’s ongoing aggression, stating that India has shown “extraordinary patience and magnanimity” in the face of provocation. - Infrastructure and Security Concerns:
Highlighting evolving challenges, Harish noted, “In 65 years, we’ve witnessed escalating security threats, growing clean energy needs, climate change, demographic shifts, and aging dam infrastructure, which require modernization and cooperation.” - Tulbul Navigation Project Attack:
He referred to the 2012 terrorist attack on the Tulbul Navigation Project in Jammu and Kashmir, further illustrating threats to India’s critical water infrastructure. - Call for Treaty Reforms Blocked by Pakistan:
Despite multiple formal requests by India to renegotiate aspects of the treaty to adapt to new realities, Pakistan has consistently blocked any modifications, Harish stated.
“It is clear that it is Pakistan which remains in violation of the Indus Water Treaty,” he concluded.
India Puts Treaty in Abeyance
India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in April 2025, shortly after the Pahalgam terror attack, citing Pakistan’s failure to credibly address terrorism concerns. The decision marks a major shift in India’s water diplomacy with Pakistan, long governed by the 1960 World Bank-brokered treaty.
“The treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan — a global epicentre of terror — credibly and irrevocably ends its support for cross-border terrorism,” Harish asserted.
Background:
The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, is one of the world’s most enduring water-sharing agreements, covering the distribution of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. Despite regional tensions, it has largely been respected for over six decades — until now.