India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty After Pahalgam Terror Attack

In a historic and dramatic move, India officially suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan on April 23, 2025, marking a significant shift in South Asia’s geopolitical landscape. The suspension follows the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, earlier in April, which India has attributed to Pakistan-based groups. The 1960 treaty, brokered by the World Bank, had survived multiple wars and decades of strained relations between the two nations. However, the Indian government stated that continued acts of cross-border terrorism have rendered cooperation untenable under current conditions.

As part of the suspension, India has halted the flow of water from the Baglihar Dam into Pakistan and initiated reservoir flushing procedures to manage water levels internally. Officials confirmed that engineering measures are being implemented to divert water from the Chenab and Jhelum rivers for domestic use and irrigation in Jammu and Kashmir. The decision, while seen as a show of strategic leverage, has raised concerns about regional water security and potential humanitarian impacts in Pakistan’s Punjab region, which relies heavily on these rivers for agriculture.

Pakistan has strongly condemned the move, calling it a violation of international law and warning of grave consequences for bilateral relations. Islamabad has indicated plans to escalate the matter to international forums, including the United Nations and the World Bank. Meanwhile, analysts caution that this suspension could further destabilize the already volatile Indo-Pak relationship, potentially impacting trade, diplomacy, and regional cooperation on climate resilience and water resource management.