Pakistan has once again raised concerns over the Indus Waters Treaty, with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal making significant remarks about the agreement and India’s strategic position in South Asia. Iqbal expressed fears that India could potentially use water as a strategic tool against Pakistan by restricting the flow of Indus River waters. He pointed out that several rivers originating in India flow into Pakistan and claimed that this geographical advantage gives India the ability to influence Pakistan’s water supply.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty before launching military strikes against Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. India has maintained that the treaty will not be restored as long as Pakistan continues to support cross-border terrorism. Pakistan, however, has described India’s decision as unilateral and has repeatedly raised concerns over the potential impact of restricting river waters.
The Indus River and its tributaries are crucial to Pakistan’s agriculture and drinking water requirements. Any significant disruption to the water supply could have serious consequences for the country’s food security and economy. Against this backdrop, concerns over water availability and the future of the Indus Waters Treaty continue to remain a major issue in India-Pakistan relations.
