LAHORE: Federal Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Moeen Wattoo has issued a strong rebuke to New Delhi’s decision to unilaterally hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) “in abeyance”, terming the move “absolutely unlawful, immoral, and tantamount to an act of war”.
Speaking at a seminar on Saturday, Mr. Wattoo asserted that the terminology used by India—“holding in abeyance”—has no legal standing under the treaty or international law. “The treaty exists in its original form, and such unilateral language cannot nullify or alter its status,” he said.
“There is no provision in the treaty or international law that allows a party to hold the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. Doing so unilaterally is illegal and a direct violation of all international agreements,” the minister emphasized.
India’s April Letter and Unilateral Action
Providing background on recent developments, Mr. Wattoo revealed that correspondence between the two countries had been underway since 2024. India, in a letter dated April 8, requested modifications to the treaty under Article 12(3) and asked Pakistan to suggest a venue for discussions by May 8. However, on April 24—prior to Pakistan’s response deadline—India announced it had unilaterally suspended the treaty.
“Even as Pakistan expressed willingness to negotiate and resolve the matter through dialogue, India’s aggressive move to suspend the treaty unilaterally amounts to a hostile action,” Mr. Wattoo warned, adding that water is a lifeline for Pakistan, and the country would neither compromise nor show flexibility on the issue.
He clarified that Pakistan continues to receive a normal flow of water from India as of now but stressed that the legality of India’s position is indefensible.
Legal and Strategic Implications
Former Indus Water Commissioner Asif Baig warned that India’s claim of upstream authority could backfire, especially considering similar upstream agreements it holds with China, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
“If India uses its geographical position to justify cutting off water to Pakistan, it opens the door for upstream countries like China to do the same to India. The precedent is dangerous and could destabilize the region,” he said.
Another former Indus Water Commissioner, Sheraz Memon, added that even if India attempted to block the water flow, its infrastructure lacks the capacity for full-scale water maneuvering.
“The Indus Waters Treaty has withstood two wars and years of tensions between the two nations. Its strength lies in its neutrality, and any attempt to undermine it is short-sighted,” he remarked.
Former Punjab Irrigation Minister Mohsin Laghari echoed similar sentiments, stressing that no international treaty can be suspended by one party alone. “If India sets this precedent, the entire structure of global treaties risks collapse,” he said.
Laghari also noted that attempts to divert water flows would require billions of dollars in infrastructure costs, adding that such unilateralism has both legal and economic consequences.
