India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty: Weaponizing Water in Kashmir?

India's Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty Sparks Water War Fears Kashmir, India – India's recent suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty has sent shockwaves through the region, raising concerns about the potential for water to become a weapon in the already tense India-Pakistan relationship. The decision, announced less than 24 hours after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir last month, has drawn sharp criticism from Pakistan, which calls the move "an act of war." The Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark agreement between India and Pakistan, governs the sharing of the six rivers that originate in the Himalayas and flow through both countries. Eighty percent of Pakistan's water supply comes from this basin, making the treaty's integrity vital to the country's agricultural sector and overall stability. Ayesha Malik, from the Lahore-based Research Society of International Law, points out a crucial omission in the treaty itself: "The treaty itself does not include any provision for suspension, and we think that that was on purpose." This highlights the gravity of India's action and the potential for unintended consequences. The video underscores the potential for widespread disruption, especially for Pakistani farmers reliant on the Indus for irrigation. Uzair Sattar, a hydropower dams researcher, notes the implications of India's potential to control water flow: "And if there is a cascade of storage dams that India constructs on those western rivers, India may have the impact, the ability to impact the timing of the flow of water into Pakistan." This statement encapsulates the anxieties surrounding India's unilateral decision and its far-reaching implications. While the treaty has historically withstood decades of conflict, this unprecedented move casts a long shadow over regional peace and stability. The potential for water scarcity and its impact on the livelihoods of millions remains a pressing concern, demanding urgent diplomatic intervention and a renewed commitment to peaceful water resource management.