Is This the End of the Indus Water Pact? India Signals Big Shift

New Delhi: In a sharp escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, India has decided to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, citing Pakistan’s violation of the treaty’s foundational spirit of “goodwill and good neighbourliness.” The move follows a brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives—mostly tourists—and comes amid intelligence inputs of Pakistan-backed aggression via drones and missiles.

According to high-level sources quoted by India TV, “The Indus Water Treaty will stay in abeyance. The DGMO-level talks have to go forward. ‘Operation Sindoor’ is still on. Non-kinetic measures stay in place. Kinetic measures are options we will exercise if Pakistan makes any moves to send drones or missiles, or any other form of aggression.”

Signed in 1960 with the World Bank as guarantor, the IWT governs water sharing of six rivers between India and Pakistan. Under the agreement, India retains control of the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej), while Pakistan is granted usage rights to the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab). India’s suspension of the treaty is unprecedented and signals a diplomatic pivot to pressure Pakistan without crossing into full-scale war—yet.

The timing of the suspension is crucial. It follows a two-day window of Indian airstrikes on May 9 and 10, during which precision bombings were conducted on key Pakistani military and terror sites, including Rahimyar Khan airbase and PAF Base Nur Khan in Chaklala. The strikes reportedly flattened runways and significantly impaired infrastructure.

The Indian military also struck terror camps in Muridke and Bahawalpur, long believed to be ISI-linked operational hubs. “India is no longer striking symbolic targets; it is dismantling the core of Pakistan’s terror infrastructure,” a senior defence source said.

India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had reportedly informed his Pakistani counterpart about targeting specific terror hideouts on May 7. But it wasn’t until after the airstrikes concluded that Pakistan’s DGMO reached out, requesting a hotline conversation on May 10. Notably, diplomatic channels between the two countries—such as NSA-level or ministerial dialogue—remain completely frozen.

Amid the escalating crisis, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio intervened diplomatically, calling both Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. While Pakistan indicated a willingness for talks, India insisted that communication should remain strictly at the DGMO level, reinforcing that terrorism is a military issue—not a diplomatic one.

India is now preparing to submit a comprehensive dossier to the United Nations Security Council, particularly the UNSCR 1267 Sanctions Committee, outlining Pakistan’s continued complicity in harbouring terror networks. The dossier reportedly contains satellite imagery, intercepted communications, and human intelligence gathered from across the Line of Control (LoC).

While Pakistan attempted retaliatory strikes, Indian sources claimed they were ineffective and poorly coordinated, stating: “The difference between India and Pakistan was massive. India attacked at will, and most of Pakistan’s attacks were foiled.”