Pakistan Appeals, But India Stands Firm: Indus Waters Treaty to Remain Paused

Amid mounting pressure from India's decision to pause the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Pakistan has formally appealed to New Delhi to reconsider its stand, citing the treaty's critical role in supporting the livelihoods of millions. The appeal was reportedly made through a letter from Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, addressed to India's Jal Shakti Ministry Secretary Debashree Mukherjee.

The communication, however, carried a sharp undertone, describing India's move as "unilateral and illegal" and accusing New Delhi of launching an "attack on the people of Pakistan and its economy."

Acoording to reports, the letter was likely delivered during the period when India carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, mostly tourists.

New Delhi has so far not officially responded to the appeal. However, reports suggest that the decision to suspend the treaty - made by the Cabinet Committee on Security on April 23 - stands firm. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent statement, they reiterated that "blood and water cannot flow together."

India has also rejected Islamabad's allegation that the decision was illegal, citing that the treaty allows for a review under altered circumstances - a threshold that, according to Indian officials, has been crossed due to Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism.

"The Indus Waters Treaty was based on mutual goodwill and good neighbourly relations. We continued to honour it despite its unequal terms. But Pakistan's unwillingness to curb terror activities has undermined the very foundation of the agreement," said a senior official.

Officials also pointed to the need for adapting the treaty to present-day challenges such as climate change and evolving hydrological realities. Recent maintenance activities by India, including flushing and desilting of the Baglihar and Salal hydropower projects on the Chenab river, have disrupted downstream water flow - a development that has added to Pakistan's concerns just ahead of its sowing season.

With the treaty now in abeyance, India is under no obligation to share water flow data with Pakistan, leading to irregularities in supply that are beginning to affect agriculture in the neighbouring country.