Pakistan Stands Firm on Indus Waters Treaty Amid Rising Tensions

In a bold stance over the “Indus Waters Treaty dispute,” Pakistan has declared it will not renegotiate the 1960 agreement with India, vowing to protect its water rights against any unilateral actions.

Pakistan Refuses to Reopen Treaty Talks

Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Sunday that Pakistan will not accept India’s call to renegotiate the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). His statement follows India’s suspension of the treaty after an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam resort that killed 26 tourists. New Delhi has blamed Islamabad for the incident, an allegation Pakistan strongly denies.

Tarar emphasized that Pakistan enjoys lawful rights to the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—under the treaty, using them for irrigation, drinking, and hydropower. Meanwhile, India’s use of the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—remains unrestricted but limited in impact on water flow.

Read: Pakistan Issues Nuclear Threat Amid India Tensions

Rising Tensions after Kashmir Attack

Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors have further deteriorated following the April 22 attack.

Tarar dismissed any prospects of renegotiation. “If reconsideration ever happens, Pakistan will only stand to benefit as the lower riparian,” he asserted, underlining that Pakistan has greater entitlements under international water laws.

No Backchannel Talks Between Rivals

Addressing speculation about secret diplomacy, Tarar clarified that no backchannel communications currently exist between Islamabad and New Delhi. “At this point, there is no contact. However there are no backchannel talks with India,” he said.

The two nations have fought three wars since their independence in 1947, with two of those conflicts centered around Kashmir. Current developments have reignited fears of renewed hostilities, with growing concerns over possible military skirmishes along the border.

Diplomatic Efforts and Global Response

Tarar highlighted that India’s narrative about the Pahalgam attack has failed to gain international support, calling it a diplomatic victory for Pakistan. “The world believes in Pakistan’s contributions to the fight against terror,” he said. According to Tarar, India has built a false narrative to divert attention from Pakistan’s successful anti-militancy operations near the Afghan border.

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