'Shared waters must not be weaponised,' Dar warns India of consequences over IWT violations

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar cautioned India on Friday that "profound consequences" would arise for regional stability and security if it attempted to strip Pakistan of its waters under the Indus Waters Treaty. He cautioned against weaponising shared waters as a political instrument, emphasizing that the treaty should remain untainted by the dynamics of their bilateral relationship.

Addressing a virtual seminar organised by the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, Dar reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty remained valid and binding, despite India's decision to place it in "abeyance" in April 2025. He clarified that the treaty offered a legal structure for managing a crucial shared resource and had functioned as a cornerstone of regional stability.

Dar argued that the treaty's enduring validity was crucial, especially in an era where international agreements depend on predictability and certainty. He stressed that unilateral actions that violate treaty obligations could have far-reaching implications, not only for South Asian peace but also for similar treaties globally. Pakistan's Foreign Minister highlighted the treaty's role as a lifeline for over 250 million Pakistanis, emphasising that agriculture, food security, energy production, livelihoods, and economic development were inextricably linked to the Indus Basin.

He stressed that unilateral interference would endanger not just South Asian stability but also the integrity of treaty relations worldwide. Dar also pointed out that climate change was adding pressure to the Indus Basin's already strained system, necessitating greater cooperation, transparent data-sharing, and strengthened resilience mechanisms.

He insisted that treaty-based proceedings must continue, regardless of political disagreements, underlining that respecting agreed rules was fundamental to maintaining cooperation between nations.