India Deals a Major Blow to Pakistan Over Indus Water Treaty; Islamabad Still Reeling

Tensions between India and Pakistan have remained at a peak since April last year. In May, the two countries witnessed deadly military clashes, involving fighter jets, missiles, and drones.

Indus Water Treaty Suspension Sparks Pakistani Panic

Islamabad is reportedly still reeling from a move by India last year that temporarily suspended the Indus Water Treaty. The decision followed a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, linked to Pakistan-based militants, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians on 22 April 2025. This was the first suspension of the treaty in its 60-year history. India made it clear that terrorism and water cooperation cannot coexist.

The Indian decision has caused considerable alarm in Pakistan, which heavily relies on the Indus River system for its water supply. Over the past eight months, Islamabad’s frantic diplomatic efforts at global forums—including the United Nations Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and even the World Bank—reflect the depth of its dependence on Indian waters.

Pakistan’s Vulnerability

Pakistan’s Punjab province, considered the country’s agricultural hub, depends on water from India for 80–90% of its farming. The country’s capacity to store water independently is limited to roughly 30 days, making the suspension a significant economic threat.

Narrative War Against India

Alongside the Indus, Pakistan has also raised concerns over abnormal flows in the Jhelum and Neelum rivers, blaming India. Islamabad has approached the Indus Water Commission under the treaty, and has initiated a narrative campaign portraying India’s decision as a threat to the lives of over 240 million Pakistanis.

Pakistan has even taken the matter to international arbitration courts, seeking orders against India’s suspension. India, however, has rejected these moves, declaring the suspension legal, stating that Pakistan has violated the fundamental spirit of the treaty, and affirming that its rights remain unaffected.