Pakistan warns India of ‘water weaponisation’ amid Indus Waters Treaty suspension

India placed the 1960, World Bank‑brokered Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance after the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians in Indian‑administered Kashmir. Pakistan says the suspension is illegal and a breach of international law.

In Islamabad on 30 June 2026 the Pakistani government hosted an international seminar on the treaty. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar declared the pact “more than a water‑sharing arrangement” and warned that “shared waters must never be weaponized.” Bilawal Bhutto Zardari added that the treaty was never a favour to Pakistan. Climate‑change minister Musadik Malik threatened to “cut off those hands” of anyone who tries to deprive Pakistan of its water share, framing any diversion as an act of war.

Pakistan says the treaty guarantees water for over 240 million people, supporting agriculture, food security and economic activity, and argues that unilateral suspension undermines regional stability and sets a dangerous precedent for other global agreements. New Delhi maintains the suspension will remain until Pakistan takes credible action against cross‑border terrorism. The dispute follows a series of diplomatic downgrades, border closures and brief missile exchanges after the 2025 attack, heightening concerns over broader South‑Asian security.