‘India could use water as weapon’: Pakistan minister warns amid Indus Water Treaty row

Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has warned that India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could lead to the weaponization of water, posing a serious threat to Pakistan’s agricultural sector. Speaking at an Asia Society event, Iqbal expressed concern that India might withhold water supplies during critical periods for Pakistani crops and release them at inconvenient times, effectively using water as a strategic tool. This comes amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with both sides accusing each other of undermining regional stability. The dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty escalated following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. In response, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security convened on April 23, a day after the attack, and officially placed the treaty in abeyance. The Indian government argued that the original terms of the treaty, negotiated in 1960, no longer apply due to changes in geopolitical realities, particularly Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated this stance, stating that “water and blood cannot flow together,” a phrase used to emphasize the severity of the situation. Iqbal emphasized that the suspension of the treaty represents a new kind of challenge, one that could see water become a tool of coercion rather than cooperation. He noted that while Pakistan is building its own dams as a buffer, it cannot ignore the implications of India’s actions. “We are using all the diplomatic avenues,” he said, though he did not specify the extent of these efforts. His comments align with broader concerns within Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who warned on the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day that any threat to the nation’s water supply would provoke a direct response. Sharif stressed that Pakistan seeks peace but is prepared to defend its sovereignty. “Every drop of water is our red line,” he stated, underscoring the gravity of the issue. His remarks follow a four-day military conflict in May 2025, which erupted after the Pahalgam attack and led to exchanges of missile, drone, and artillery fire. Although a ceasefire eventually ended hostilities, the conflict underscored the deepening mistrust between the two nations. Sharif’s warnings reflect a growing sense of urgency among Pakistani officials, who fear that India’s stance on the treaty could have long-term consequences for food security and economic stability. India maintains that its decision to place the treaty in abeyance is justified given the ongoing security threats posed by cross-border terrorism. Officials argue that the treaty’s provisions, which allow India to regulate water flows through major rivers, are being undermined by Pakistan’s alleged support for militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir. This position has been reinforced by statements from senior Indian officials, including Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Ishwar, who has called for Pakistan to “credibly and irrevocably” abandon its support for such activities. Meanwhile, Pakistan has accused India of attempting to exert control over the region’s water resources, with some ministers suggesting that India’s actions could be interpreted as an attempt to dominate the Indus basin. One Pakistani official reportedly warned that Islamabad would “cut off those hands” seeking to manipulate water flows, highlighting the potential for escalating conflict. These tensions have drawn attention from international observers, who warn that the dispute could have far-reaching implications for South Asian geopolitics. As the situation continues to evolve, both nations appear locked in a delicate balancing act between diplomacy and deterrence. While India insists that its actions are defensive and necessary for national security, Pakistan views the suspension of the treaty as a violation of established norms and a threat to its sovereignty. With the region already teetering on the edge of renewed confrontation, the fate of the Indus Waters Treaty, and the future of bilateral relations, remains uncertain.