Pakistan Puts Indus Waters Treaty Principles in Abeyance: MEA Calls for Urgent Renegotiation

  New Delhi:  The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sharply criticized Pakistan for putting the foundational principles of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) “in abeyance,” signaling a serious strain in the 64-year-old water-sharing pact between the two nations. India has now called for a renegotiation of the treaty’s terms, citing major changes in ground realities, including advances in engineering, the worsening climate crisis, and the accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers.

     The MEA, in a strong statement, highlighted that Pakistan’s repeated objections and reluctance to engage in modern interpretations of the treaty have undermined its effectiveness. “The original treaty was framed in a vastly different era. The ground situation has shifted dramatically over the decades,” said an MEA spokesperson.

     The IWT, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the sharing of six rivers flowing from India into Pakistan. Despite conflicts and wars between the two countries, the treaty has remained intact, often cited as an example of successful water diplomacy. However, India argues that the evolving geopolitical and environmental realities render the old framework outdated.

      According to Indian officials, the rapid pace of glacial retreat in the Himalayas—fueled by climate change—poses a direct threat to long-term water availability and river flow patterns. Additionally, new engineering and hydropower technologies necessitate a more flexible, adaptive approach to water management, which the current treaty fails to accommodate.

     India also raised concerns over Pakistan’s repeated use of the treaty’s dispute mechanism to stall legitimate infrastructure projects on the Indian side, including dams and hydroelectric power stations. Such delays, India claims, have turned technical matters into prolonged diplomatic deadlocks.

     In recent years, India has pushed for modifying the treaty to include climate adaptation, sustainable development goals, and clearer dispute resolution frameworks. But Pakistan has resisted any substantial changes.

      Analysts view the MEA’s latest remarks as a signal that India may no longer be willing to maintain the status quo. With South Asia facing escalating water stress, the future of the Indus Waters Treaty could hinge on whether both nations are willing to come back to the negotiating table in good faith.