Pakistan recently convened an international conference to address India's decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), with senior leaders and experts asserting the agreement's critical role for regional peace and international law. The conference, titled "Indus Waters Treaty as an Enduring Legal and Institutional Framework," follows India's suspension of the treaty in April 2025 after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives.
India maintains that the treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan demonstrates credible and irreversible action against cross-border terrorism.
Treaty as a Pillar of Regional Stability
During his address at the conference, Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized that the IWT is "not merely a water-sharing arrangement but a vital instrument of regional peace, stability, and cooperation." Dar reiterated Pakistan's position on social media, stating, "Shared waters must never be weaponized. They must remain a bridge between nations, guided by cooperation, dialogue, and respect for international law."
He further cautioned that any attempts to deny Pakistan its rights under the treaty would lead to "profound consequences" for peace and security across South Asia, potentially impacting the shared interests of nearly two billion people.
Legally Binding, Not a Favor
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also defended the agreement, asserting its nature as a legally binding arrangement rather than a concession. "The treaty was never a favour to Pakistan," Bilawal stated at the conference, highlighting its foundation in international law.
Global Order at Stake
Senator Musadik Malik delivered one of the strongest warnings, arguing that the fate of the Indus Waters Treaty would serve as a crucial test for the credibility of international agreements globally. "The Indus Waters Treaty has witnessed three wars between the two nuclear powers. If this treaty doesn't hold, no world order that is on paper post World War II will remain secure," Malik declared. He added, "When a law needs to be tested, it must be done at the weakest point and not the strongest point. The Indus Waters Treaty is the strongest pact the world has ever seen."
Pakistan has been actively raising the issue of the treaty's suspension in various international forums, aiming to fortify its legal and diplomatic stance against India's decision.