Pakistan moves UN against India over Indus Water Treaty suspension

New York (Web Desk): Pakistan has appealed to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to immediately address India’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, cautioning that the move poses serious risks across humanitarian, environmental, and security dimensions for nearly 240 million people who rely on the river system.

In a formal letter, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar addressed Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei of Bahrain, which is currently holding the presidency of the 15-member United Nations Security Council for the month of April.

The communication highlights India’s decision to place the long-standing water-sharing agreement in abeyance, describing it as unlawful, and notes that the step was taken around a year ago during a period of heightened political friction between the two countries.

The letter was officially submitted to the Council’s president at the United Nations Headquarters in New York by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, on Thursday, as confirmed by a statement from Pakistan’s mission.

Senator Ishaq Dar urged the Security Council to take immediate notice of the situation and press India to fully reinstate the treaty’s implementation.

He also called for the resumption of all treaty-related obligations, including the exchange of water data and cooperative mechanisms, while emphasizing that India should refrain from any form of pressure or coercive use of water resources and adhere strictly to its international commitments in good faith.

Separately, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad informed the Security Council president about what he termed the continued spread of unfounded allegations and propaganda from India, stating that these developments are unfolding even as Pakistan remains engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at advancing peace and stability at both regional and global levels.

He further reiterated Pakistan’s position that the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the core issue driving instability in South Asia. The Pakistani envoy said that a lasting resolution in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people is essential for sustainable peace in the region.

The Indus Waters Treaty, in force for 66 years, governs the distribution of waters from the Indus river basin. It allocates the eastern rivers to India, while the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—are primarily reserved for Pakistan, where they serve as a crucial water source for agriculture and livelihoods.

Despite decades of hostility and multiple conflicts between the two countries, the agreement has long been regarded as one of the most stable bilateral arrangements.

However, tensions escalated after India announced on April 23, 2025, that it was suspending the treaty.

The move followed an attack in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, with India accusing Pakistan of involvement without presenting evidence. Pakistan strongly rejected the allegation. The situation subsequently contributed to a brief but intense military confrontation between the two countries in May 2025.