India Puts Indus Waters Treaty in Abeyance, Cites Pakistan’s Betrayal of ‘Goodwill’

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: In a major diplomatic move, India has decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), citing Pakistan’s consistent disregard for the foundational principles of “goodwill and friendship” that underpin the 1960 agreement. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) conveyed this decision during a recent briefing to a parliamentary committee, where Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of undermining the treaty’s spirit through continued cross-border terrorism, including the recent Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.

“The treaty’s preamble stresses goodwill and friendship. But these principles have effectively been held in abeyance by Pakistan,” the MEA stated, noting that the persistent security threats hinder India’s ability to fully utilize its rights under the treaty.

In addition to security concerns, India has called for a comprehensive renegotiation of the treaty, which was originally framed around mid-20th century engineering practices. The MEA highlighted that dramatic changes in ground realities—such as climate change, glacial melt, fluctuating river flows, and rising demand for clean energy—necessitate a modern framework.