In recent developments, Pakistan has strongly accused India of "weaponizing water" and thereby threatening regional stability, raising concerns over potential breaches of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960. These accusations come amid already heightened tensions between the two nations, exacerbated by a recent military conflict and disagreements over water resource management.
Pakistani officials have expressed "extreme concern and seriousness" regarding what they describe as "unusual, abrupt variations" in the flow of the Chenab River. These variations, observed between April 30 to May 21 and again from December 7 to December 15, have led to accusations that India is unilaterally releasing water into the Chenab without prior notification or data sharing, a requirement under the IWT.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar addressed foreign envoys in Islamabad, stating that India's actions constitute "material breaches" of the IWT, potentially endangering regional stability. Dar, also the Foreign Minister, warned that the disruption would be considered as "an act of war". He further elaborated that these actions undermine the treaty and pose serious risks to regional peace, security, and the principles governing inter-state relations. Pakistan's Foreign Office has formally sought clarification from India regarding the variations in the Chenab River's flow.
Pakistan's concerns extend beyond the Chenab River, with accusations that India is attempting to undermine the IWT through the construction of dams like the Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower projects. Pakistan has also accused India of subverting the treaty's dispute resolution mechanism by refusing to participate in the Court of Arbitration and neutral expert proceedings.
In September, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised objections to India's decision to put the IWT in abeyance while addressing the United Nations General Debate. He stated that Pakistan would defend its rights to the Indus waters and views any violation of the treaty as an act of war.
India has not yet issued a comprehensive response to the recent accusations. However, in the past, India has asserted that its projects comply with the IWT and that water releases are routine exercises, particularly during the monsoon season.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, has been a cornerstone of পানি sharing between India and Pakistan for over six decades. The treaty allocates the western rivers (Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum) to Pakistan and the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) to India. While India has rights to use the western rivers for limited irrigation and power generation, it is obligated to maintain their flows to Pakistan.
The current dispute raises concerns about the future of the IWT and its role in maintaining peace and stability between the two countries. With Pakistan reiterating its commitment to peaceful resolution, the international community will be watching closely to see how both nations navigate this critical issue.
