The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : In a bold diplomatic move, the Indian government has announced the immediate suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, marking a significant escalation in response to the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22 that left 26 people dead and dozens injured.
The decision was taken late Tuesday evening during a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CCS reviewed classified intelligence inputs which reportedly confirmed cross-border linkages behind the terror strike, prompting what officials have termed a “decisive and necessary response.”
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, has long been considered a cornerstone of India-Pakistan relations, governing the sharing of water from the Indus river system. Despite wars and diplomatic breakdowns, the treaty had remained largely intact — until now.
A government spokesperson stated, “India has decided to suspend the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, effective immediately. This step will remain in force until Pakistan credibly and irreversibly abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”
The decision is being viewed as a strategic pressure tactic, intended to isolate Pakistan on the global stage and send a stern message about the costs of continuing to harbor terrorist networks.
Top sources within the Ministry of External Affairs have confirmed that formal notifications will be sent to Islamabad and the World Bank, the treaty’s third-party guarantor. The notification will detail India’s intent to halt all cooperation under the treaty, including meetings of the Permanent Indus Commission and data-sharing commitments.
The move has drawn international attention, with several countries closely watching the developments. While there has been no official response from Pakistan yet, foreign policy analysts warn that the suspension could escalate tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The suspension also brings into question several ongoing water infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh that fall under the purview of the treaty’s guidelines. Indian officials, however, have clarified that national interests and security concerns will take precedence over treaty obligations.
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