Pakistan Violated Spirit of Indus Waters Treaty Through Wars and Terrorism: India at UN

India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), demanding that Pakistan end its support for cross-border terrorism. India made this strong statement at the UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting in New York on Friday.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said Pakistan was spreading “disinformation” about the treaty. He spoke at the UNSC debate on “Protecting Water in Armed Conflict – Protecting Civilian Lives”.

Harish declared that the treaty would stay in abeyance until Pakistan, “a global epicentre of terror,” ended its support for terrorism. He said Pakistan had violated the treaty’s spirit by waging three wars and sponsoring thousands of terror attacks since 1960.

India Accuses Pakistan of Violating Treaty Spirit

Harish said India signed the IWT 65 years ago in good faith and in a spirit of friendship. But he added that Pakistan had broken that trust. “In the last four decades, over 20,000 Indian lives have been lost in terror attacks,” he said.

He mentioned the recent deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam as another example of Pakistan-sponsored terror. He said terrorism from Pakistan continued to threaten Indian civilians, social harmony, and economic growth.

Harish said India had always acted as a responsible upper riparian state. But Pakistan had repeatedly blocked any updates to treaty infrastructure or clauses, despite being allowed under the treaty.

India Cites Changing Ground Realities

India’s Ministry of External Affairs told a parliamentary panel that the Indus basin had changed. Factors included climate change, glacier melt, and growing clean energy needs. Harish also said terrorists attacked the Tulbul navigation project in 2012, showing Pakistan’s disregard for peaceful cooperation.

Harish noted that India had proposed modifications to the treaty many times in the past two years. But Pakistan refused to engage. “Pakistan’s obstructionist approach continues to prevent India from using its full water rights,” he said.

Earlier at the UN, Harish hit back at Pakistan’s envoy for raising the Kashmir issue. He called Pakistan’s stance “grossly hypocritical” and said it had no credibility on civilian protection while supporting terrorism.

Also Read: ESIC Sees 5.79% Surge in Formal Job Creation in March, Youth and Women Drive Growth