By SKM
April 24, 2025
ISLAMABAD: India has formally informed Pakistan about suspension of the Waters Treaty 1960 with immediate effect.
The government of India sent a letter on April 24, 2025 signed by Mr Debashree Mukharjee, Secretary of Ministry of Jal Shakti addressed to Mr Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources saying that India has decided that the Indus Waters Treaty will be held in abeyance with immediate fact.
Mr Debashree Mukharjee in his letter mentioned the reasons behind the decision of the Indian government alleging that Pakistan is targeting the India Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India’s full utilization of its rights under the Treaty. Furthermore, apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India’s request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the Treaty and is thus in breach of the Treaty,” says the letter.
The letter from the Indian government available with Exclusivewaves.com.pk also refers to its notices earlier sent to the government of Pakistan seeking modification of the Indus Waters Treaty under Article XII (3) of the Treaty, citing fundamental changes in circumstances that have taken place since the Treaty was executed that require a reassessment of obligations under the various Articles of the Treaty.
The letter says that these changes include significantly altered population demographics, the need to accelerate the development of clean energy and other changes in the assumptions underlying the sharing of waters under the Treaty. India says that the obligation to honor a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. “However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. More importantly, Pakistan has refused to respond to India’s request to enter into talks for modifications. So India is left with no option but to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.” Ends
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