India-Pakistan Water Dispute Escalates Over Indus Waters Treaty

Pakistan’s climate‑change and information ministers warned India that any attempt to cut Pakistan’s entitled water from the Indus‑Waters Treaty would be met with a "severe response," saying they would "cut off the hand" of those responsible. The remarks, made at a press briefing in Islamabad ahead of an international seminar on the treaty, were broadcast on social media, though their authenticity has not been independently verified.

India suspended the 1960 Indus‑Waters Treaty after a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, accusing Pakistan‑based groups of cross‑border terrorism. Pakistan argues the treaty, which allocates the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers to India and the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers to Pakistan, cannot be unilaterally halted and that India’s move violates international law. No official Indian response to the Pakistani ministers’ warnings has been reported.

The dispute raises concerns of a water‑supply crisis in Pakistan, which depends heavily on the treaty‑allocated rivers for agriculture and irrigation, and adds a new layer of diplomatic tension between the nuclear‑armed neighbours.