At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif voiced strong objections to the ongoing dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty. Sharif emphasized that water, a vital resource, must never be used as an instrument of political leverage or coercion, calling it the region's "lifeblood."
Sharif highlighted that shared water resources are crucial for sustaining millions of lives, supporting agriculture, and ensuring the future of coming generations. He underscored that treaties governing these shared waters are solemn, binding international commitments that must be honored unconditionally, both in letter and spirit, rather than being discarded at will.
India Rejects Hague Ruling on Treaty
Sharif's remarks came just a day after India rejected a ruling by the Hague-based Court of Arbitration. The court had affirmed the legal binding nature of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and the continued validity of its dispute-resolution mechanism for disagreements between India and Pakistan.
India, however, has maintained that it neither recognized the Court of Arbitration nor participated in its proceedings, thus rejecting its jurisdiction entirely. The Ministry of External Affairs described the tribunal as an "illegally constituted" body, arguing that its formation violated the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty itself. New Delhi stated that the tribunal's pronouncements would have no bearing on India's sovereign decisions regarding hydroelectric projects.
Terrorism and Regional Peace
The Pakistani Prime Minister also linked the water dispute to the broader question of regional stability, suggesting that South Asia could not achieve its full potential without lasting peace. He advocated for diplomacy and enhanced regional cooperation in managing shared water resources.
Earlier at the same summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had focused his address on the global fight against terrorism. Modi called for a united stand against the entire ecosystem supporting terrorism, including financing, recruitment, radicalization, and safe havens. He warned against "double standards" and urged a strong international response to countries that provide shelter or support to terrorists. India's decision to suspend operations of the Indus Waters Treaty followed a terror attack in April 2025.
The SCO summit thus became a platform for both leaders to press their core concerns: Sharif focusing on water rights and regional peace, while Modi emphasized the imperative of countering terrorism.