New Delhi – June 20, 2025: Indian Home Minister Amit Shah has declared that India will not restore the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of “weaponizing” the agreement for decades. His remarks have escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with experts warning of serious diplomatic and environmental repercussions.
Speaking during a session of the Indian Parliament, Shah claimed that Pakistan has “repeatedly violated the spirit of the treaty” and used it as a tool to further its anti-India agenda. He confirmed that the Indian government has no intention of resuming cooperation under the treaty framework.
Background: What Is the Indus Waters Treaty?
Signed in 1960 under the mediation of the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty governs water sharing between India and Pakistan across six rivers: the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. The treaty has long been considered one of the most successful water-sharing agreements globally, having survived multiple wars and diplomatic standoffs.
However, relations between India and Pakistan have sharply deteriorated in recent years, with both countries accusing each other of treaty violations and water mismanagement.
Amit Shah’s Statement: Key Points
- India believes the treaty has outlived its relevance due to “Pakistan’s misuse.”
- No plans for negotiations or treaty renewal.
- India may increase hydropower projects on rivers allocated to it under the original treaty.
“Pakistan has used the Indus Waters Treaty not for peace but as leverage. India will no longer tolerate this hypocrisy,” Shah told lawmakers.
Pakistan’s Likely Response
Although the Pakistan Foreign Office has not officially responded, senior diplomats and analysts in Islamabad have described the statement as “alarming and provocative”. Legal experts point out that unilateral withdrawal from the treaty could violate international law, particularly given the World Bank’s role as a guarantor.
Pakistan has previously approached international forums, including the Permanent Court of Arbitration, regarding Indian dam constructions on western rivers.
Implications for South Asia
The collapse of the Indus Waters Treaty could spark regional water conflicts, especially at a time when both countries are facing water stress due to climate change, glacier melt, and growing populations.
Experts warn that the breakdown of the treaty could:
- Jeopardize regional water security
- Trigger retaliatory diplomatic or environmental actions
- Undermine other bilateral agreements and international trust
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