Pakistan Alarmed by India’s River Dams, Says Indus Water Treaty Cannot Be Blocked

Islamabad/New Delhi: Pakistan has once again voiced concerns over the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), following India’s decisions regarding river development projects. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that India cannot block the treaty, and any related actions will be raised with New Delhi at both political and diplomatic levels.

Treaty Remains Binding
During a weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi emphasized that the IWT remains a binding international agreement, with no provision for unilateral suspension. He recalled that following the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22 last year, India had taken several punitive measures against Pakistan, including temporarily suspending aspects of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.

India’s Dams Trigger Pakistani Worries
Andrabi noted that any projects on the Chenab, Jhelum, and Neelum rivers fall under the treaty’s monitoring framework. He confirmed that Pakistan’s Indus Commissioner has already written to India regarding certain Chenab projects. “If development activities occur on the Jhelum or Neelum, we will raise these issues at the level of the Indus Commissioners, and also at political, diplomatic, and relevant international forums,” he added.

Response to Indian Statements
Andrabi described remarks by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar as “irresponsible and misleading,” particularly regarding allegations of Pakistan’s longstanding support for terrorist training camps. He reiterated Pakistan’s position that India’s suspension of treaty activities has disrupted the flow of water from the three rivers that traditionally supply Pakistan, intensifying Islamabad’s concerns.

Ongoing Dispute
The latest statements underscore Pakistan’s continued apprehension over India’s river dam projects and highlight the fragile nature of water-sharing agreements in the region, particularly against the backdrop of broader geopolitical tensions.