Staff Reporter
New Delhi: India on Friday reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains in abeyance and linked any future reconsideration to Pakistan ending what New Delhi describes as support for cross-border terrorism. The response came after Pakistan criticised India’s reported moves on river infrastructure projects and accused New Delhi of attempting to “weaponise water.”
Responding during the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position had remained unchanged. According to the MEA, the treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” abandons support for cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan’s criticism referred to India’s progress on the proposed Chenab–Beas Link Tunnel project and reports relating to sediment management at the Salal Dam reservoir. Islamabad has argued that such measures could affect downstream water flows and has raised objections under the treaty framework.
India has also maintained its rejection of recent proceedings and rulings issued by the Court of Arbitration (CoA) constituted under the treaty dispute mechanism. New Delhi describes the tribunal as “illegally constituted” and says it does not recognise its jurisdiction. Following a May 15, 2026 award related to “maximum pondage” issues, India stated that any award or decision issued by the tribunal is “null and void” and that its decision to keep the treaty in abeyance remains in force.
Signed on September 19, 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty governs water-sharing arrangements between India and Pakistan across the Indus river system. India suspended implementation of aspects of the agreement after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, citing sovereign rights and national security concerns, while Pakistan has continued to contest the move and explore legal options under international mechanisms.