Pakistan's Urgent Plea to India Amid Water Crisis: Will the Indus Waters Treaty Be Restored?
Pakistan's Desperate Appeals to India
Islamabad/New Delhi: Facing a looming water crisis, Pakistan has reached out to India multiple times, sending four letters urging New Delhi to reconsider its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). This decision followed the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
The letters, penned by Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, were directed to India's Ministry of Jal Shakti and subsequently forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Murtaza's correspondence emphasizes the need for India to restore the treaty.
India has firmly stated that the treaty will remain inactive until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism, invoking national security concerns.
This stance was supported by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) shortly after the Pahalgam attack, marking a significant pause in the World Bank-mediated agreement.
During Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the government's unwavering position that 'water and blood cannot coexist' and that 'terrorism and dialogue cannot occur simultaneously.'
In response to India's assertive actions, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed a desire for peace talks to address ongoing disputes.
This comes after prominent Pakistani politicians urged the government to address the 'water bomb' threatening the nation due to the IWT's suspension.
Senator Syed Ali Zafar highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, 'We would perish from hunger if we do not tackle the water crisis immediately. The Indus Basin is vital for us, as three-fourths of our water is sourced externally, and 90% of our population relies on it for their livelihoods.'
The Indus Water Treaty, established in 1960, regulates the distribution of water from six rivers—Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—between India and Pakistan.
India has accused Pakistan of undermining the IWT's spirit through numerous terrorist acts and hindering necessary infrastructure updates for safety.
'Despite these challenges, India has exhibited remarkable patience and generosity... Significant changes have occurred regarding security concerns from cross-border terrorism, alongside the growing need for clean energy, climate change, and demographic shifts,' stated India's Permanent Representative P Harish during a recent informal UN Security Council meeting.
New Delhi has previously requested discussions with Islamabad regarding treaty modifications, but these efforts have been unsuccessful.
'Pakistan has consistently obstructed any alterations to the infrastructure and any permissible modifications under the treaty,' Harish noted, emphasizing that while the treaty's foundation is based on goodwill, Pakistan has engaged in three wars and numerous terrorist attacks against India.