Pakistan Fights Back Against India’s Water Aggression With New National Policy

India’s water aggression reached a boiling point in April 2025 when New Delhi unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)—a pivotal agreement that has governed water sharing between India and Pakistan for over six decades.

The move came shortly after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the assault, a claim Islamabad strongly denied. Despite no formal evidence, India retaliated by halting its treaty obligations.

This unilateral action threatens access to water for 80% of Pakistan’s agricultural land, potentially sparking an ecological and economic crisis across the country.

Planning Minister Announces Strategic Response

In response, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced that Pakistan is formulating a comprehensive national water policy aimed at defending its rights under the treaty and securing its water future.

“A comprehensive national policy is being formulated in consultation with all four provinces to counter Indian water aggression,” said Minister Iqbal during a press briefing on Sunday, as reported by Radio Pakistan.

He also declared the formation of a special technical committee of water engineers and hydrology experts tasked with providing policy recommendations, including legal, diplomatic, and engineering-based responses.

This committee will guide Pakistan in strengthening its water infrastructure and preparing for long-term resilience.

History of the Indus Waters Treaty

Signed on September 19, 1960, by Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the Indus Waters Treaty has often been cited as a rare example of successful conflict resolution in South Asia.

Under the treaty:

• Pakistan receives full rights over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers (western rivers).
• India controls the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers (eastern rivers) for unrestricted use.
• India may use western rivers for non-consumptive purposes like hydropower, but cannot store or divert them.

It also established a Permanent Indus Commission and detailed a neutral dispute resolution mechanism involving the World Bank.

Despite multiple wars and persistent hostilities, the treaty has remained in effect for over 60 years — until now.

Why This Treaty Matters for Pakistan

According to environmental experts and agricultural planners, Pakistan is heavily reliant on the Indus River System for:

• 80% of its irrigated agriculture
• 60% of its total food production
• Hydropower generation for national energy security

A breach or suspension of the treaty could affect millions of farmers and destabilize Pakistan’s fragile climate-sensitive economy.

“If India continues its water aggression, Pakistan’s food security and power production will be endangered,” warned Hassaan F. Khan, a South Asia water policy expert at Tufts University.

Nuclear Flashpoint: The Risks of Escalation

Following India’s move and the subsequent military conflict in early May, tensions escalated dangerously.

Between May 1–10, over 70 people died in border skirmishes. Fears of a nuclear confrontation gripped the region before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire by President Donald Trump on May 10 de-escalated the crisis.

Experts warn that water conflicts between nuclear-armed neighbors like Pakistan and India pose global security threats.

“Any unilateral action over the Indus waters without diplomatic engagement could push the region toward a catastrophic war,” stated Dr. Maria Sultan, Director of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute.

Global Reactions and Diplomatic Moves

In June, Pakistan and India launched diplomatic campaigns, sending envoys to global capitals to justify their positions.

Islamabad emphasized the legality of the treaty and India’s violation of international norms. India, in contrast, used the Kashmir attack to justify suspending cooperation.

International law experts stress that the Indus Waters Treaty has no exit clause, meaning India’s suspension is not legally binding without mutual consent.

A report by The International Rivers Network also criticized India for weaponizing water and breaching the Helsinki Rules on Transboundary Water Sharing.

Looking Ahead: A United Water Policy

Minister Iqbal reiterated that a unified national strategy is essential. He called for:

• Enhanced water storage infrastructure like dams and reservoirs
• Legal teams to challenge India in international courts
• Diplomatic lobbying at the UN, World Bank, and regional forums
• Technological upgrades for water efficiency and early warning systems

The proposed water policy aims to align all provinces and federal institutions for a collective defense of Pakistan’s hydrological sovereignty.

“Water is the lifeline of our future. We will never allow any force to jeopardize it,” Iqbal concluded during his address.

Conclusion: Water Security is National Security

India’s water aggression has forced Pakistan into a new era of hydro-diplomatic defense. As Islamabad crafts its national policy, the world must recognize the gravity of this transboundary crisis.

With strong coordination, expert guidance, and international support, Pakistan is positioning itself to protect its most vital resource—water.

External Resources

• Indus Waters Treaty – World Bank Overview
• Radio Pakistan Report on Policy Announcement
• Tufts University – Water Policy Research

Internal Links

• Pakistan’s Climate Crisis and Water Scarcity
• Analysis: India-Pakistan Border Tensions