“Any Violation of Treaty Represents an Act of War”: Shehbaz Sharif Condemns India’s Suspension of Indus Water Treaty

New York: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday criticized India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a “blatant violation of international law” and warning that any breach would not go unchallenged.

The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, regulates the sharing of water from the Indus River system, with Pakistan controlling the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) and India controlling the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej). Sharif described India’s actions as an “unilateral and illegal attempt that defies the provisions of the treaty itself” and added, “To us, any violation of the treaty represents an act of war,” emphasizing the issue’s significance for Pakistan.

India’s decision to suspend the treaty follows heightened tensions after the April 22, 2023 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. New Delhi linked the suspension to Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism, asserting that the treaty’s reinstatement would depend on verifiable steps by Islamabad to halt such activities. An Indian official stated, “India has exercised its sovereign right under international law to place the treaty in abeyance, linking its reinstatement to Pakistan’s verifiable cessation of cross-border terrorism support.”

During his address to the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Sharif called for a resumption of comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues, especially concerning Kashmir, which he described as suffering under “tyranny.” He stated, “Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive, and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues,” signaling willingness for peace talks despite the current stalemate.

Sharif also highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices in combating terrorism, claiming the country has incurred over $150 billion in economic losses due to terrorist activities, framing these as among the “biggest around the globe.”

Historically, the Indus Waters Treaty has endured multiple wars between India and Pakistan, acting as a rare symbol of cooperation despite frequent bilateral tensions. India has accused Pakistan of misusing the treaty for political leverage, while Pakistan maintains that the agreement is inequitable, especially regarding India’s use of allocated water.