In May 2025, India made a historic and controversial decision to suspend its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan. This move came in the immediate aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which Indian intelligence linked to Pakistan-based extremist groups. The suspension was announced as part of a broader national security strategy and was seen as a symbolic but significant response to what India termed "continued state-sponsored terrorism" by Pakistan.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with the World Bank as a guarantor, is one of the few bilateral agreements that has survived the test of time—even during wars and political upheaval. It allocates control of six rivers of the Indus Basin between the two countries. India was assigned the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej), while Pakistan was granted rights over the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab), with limited rights to India for non-consumptive uses on the western rivers.
India’s decision to suspend the treaty has regional and global implications, especially in terms of water security, agriculture, and diplomacy. Pakistan, an agrarian economy heavily dependent on the Indus system, reacted with strong condemnation, calling the move a violation of international law. Indian officials, however, defended the step as a temporary suspension rather than a withdrawal, citing national interest and the need to revisit all bilateral obligations in the face of repeated provocations.
The international community expressed concern. The World Bank, which plays a mediating role in treaty disputes, urged both countries to resume dialogue and avoid turning water into a weapon. Environmentalists also weighed in, cautioning that tampering with transboundary water treaties could set a dangerous precedent in an already climate-stressed South Asian region.
Experts argue that the suspension is both strategic and symbolic. It signals India's intent to use every diplomatic and economic tool at its disposal to pressure Pakistan without escalating into direct warfare. Others warn that weaponizing water could escalate tensions, trigger international arbitration, and have long-term humanitarian consequences.
As of now, no official talks have resumed between the two nations regarding the future of the treaty. The situation remains tense, and the suspension of the IWT is seen as one of the most serious diplomatic ruptures between India and Pakistan in recent years, altering the tone of future engagements between the historic rivals.
Q1. What triggered India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty in May 2025?
Q2. When was the Indus Waters Treaty originally signed?
Q3. Which international organization helped broker the Indus Waters Treaty?
Q4. What rivers were allocated to Pakistan under the treaty?
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Q5. Which country was given control over the eastern rivers of the Indus basin?
Q6. What term did Indian officials use to describe their action on the treaty?
Q7. What was Pakistan’s reaction to the suspension?
Q8. What concern did environmentalists raise about suspending the treaty?
Q9. Which Indian rivers are not part of the Indus Waters Treaty?
Q10. What is Pakistan’s primary dependence on the Indus waters?
Q11. What does India’s suspension of the treaty primarily represent?
Q12. Which body urged India and Pakistan to return to dialogue?
Q13. Which aspect of India-Pakistan relations was directly affected by the treaty suspension?
Q14. What legal concern did Pakistan raise against India?
Q15. What characterizes the Indus Waters Treaty historically?
Q16. What could be a possible long-term impact of suspending such treaties?
Q17. Which of the following was not cited as a reason for India’s suspension?
Q18. What best describes the nature of India’s action regarding the treaty?
Q19. What does this move indicate about India’s evolving foreign policy?
Q20. What is the current status of negotiations over the treaty as per the passage?