Pakistan on Saturday strongly condemned Indian domestic minister AMIT Shah’s remarks that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan “will never be restored”, and is called a “brave ignoring the holiness of international agreements.”
Answer to media requests regarding Shah’s interview with The Times of IndiaWhere he said that India would divert water flowing to Pakistan for domestic use, the Foreign Office in Islamabad said that the comments constitute a clear violation of international law, the provisions of the treaty and the basic principles of relations between the state.
“The Indus Waters Treaty is not a political arrangement, but an international treaty without a provision of unilateral act,” spokesman for the Foreign Office said. “India’s illegal announcement to hold the Treaty in Abeyance constitutes a clear violation of international law, the provisions of the Treaty itself and the basic principles that govern intermediate state.”
Read more: India excludes restoring the Indus Waters Treaty, promises to divert water from Pakistan
The spokesman added that such behavior “sets a ruthless and dangerous precedent” that undermines the credibility of international agreements and raises serious concerns about the reliability of India as a treaty partner.
“Weaponing water for political targets is irresponsible and, unlike established norms of responsible state behavior,” the statement states, calling on New Delhi to immediately resign from its unilateral position and resume full implementation of the treaty.
On its part, Pakistan repeated his permanent obligation to the Indus Waters Treaty and promised to take all the necessary measures to protect his legitimate rights under the agreement.
Declaration from the spokesman regarding Indian Homemade Minister claim that the Indus Waters Treaty will never be restored.
Answer to media inquiries regarding the Indian domestic minister claim that the Indus Waters Treaty will never be restored, spokesman for … pic.twitter.com/ndy9lfakhk
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficepk) June 21, 2025
The Indus waters, signed in 1960 with the World Bank as a guarantor, regulate the allocation and use of water from the Indus River system between the two countries.
The treaty guarantees Pakistan -access to the three western rivers – Indus, Jhelum and Chenab – which is crucial to irrigation and agriculture in the country. Despite wars and running tensions, the treaty had largely resisted bilateral hostilities for over six decades.
In April 2025, however, India announced that it placed the Treaty “In Abeyance” following a deadly attack in Indian illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), as the accused of elements allegedly linked to Pakistan, without providing evidence. Islamabad has categorically denied any involvement in the incident.
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In Saturday’s interview, Shah said unequivocally: “No, it will never be restored. We will take water flowing to Pakistan to Rajasthan by constructing a channel. Pakistan will be starved by water as it has been unjustified.”
Shah’s remarks, seen as a curing of India’s attitude, have dampened hope for any almost term dialogue of the future of the treaty. Reuters recently reported that India plans to dramatically increase the water it directs from rivers flowing into Pakistan as part of what it calls retaliatory measures.
Pakistan allegedly explores legal opportunities to challenge India’s steps under international law, and diplomatic efforts are in the process of gathering international support for the preservation and enforcement of the treaty.
The escalating rhetoric over water comes in the midst of fragile bands between the nuclear armed neighbors despite a ceasefire agreement earlier this year after one of the most serious flare -ups along the control line in recent decades.
What is the Indus Waters Treaty?
The origin of the IWT can be traced back to the division of British India in August 1947, when India and Pakistan became two independent nations. Both countries, now home to over 1.6 billion people, have historically been heavily dependent on the rivers flowing from the Himalayas for irrigation and agriculture.
The division of Punjab Province, which was largely developed under British rule with an integrated irrigation system, created an immediate need for an agreement on the righteous division of the river water between India and Pakistan.
This was important to prevent future conflicts about this important resource, especially considering that the new boundary separates the territories through which these rivers flowed.
After nine years of negotiations, relieved by the World Bank, IWT was signed in September 1960 by the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Pakistani President Ayub Khan.
Read more: India’s unilateral suspension of IWT could destabilize Regional Peace: Bilawal
India gained control of the three eastern rivers – Ravi, Sutlej and Beas – while Pakistan was awarded control of the three western rivers – Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. As part of the treaty, India is obliged to allow the water in the western rivers to flow into Pakistan with only a few exceptions.
The treaty also allows India to develop hydropower projects on the Western rivers, but these projects must comply with strict conditions.
They must be “run-of-the-river” projects, which means they cannot change the flow or storage of water, which ensures that Pakistan’s hiking rights such as the downstream ripar country are not adversely affected.
