India is reportedly planning to boost its water usage from the Indus River system, crucial for Pakistan, as part of its reaction to a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 civilians dead.
India has blamed the incident on groups allegedly linked to Pakistan, though no evidence has been provided. Pakistan has firmly rejected the accusation.
In a retaliatory move, India suspended its involvement in the Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark 1960 agreement between the two countries that governs the distribution of river waters.
Since stepping away from the treaty, India has taken steps that may impact water flow to Pakistan.
Among them is a plan to extend the Ranbir Canal on the Chenab River, significantly increasing water diversion from 40 to 150 cubic meters per second.
India is also considering new dams and hydropower initiatives on the western rivers that were allocated to Pakistan under the treaty.
Pakistan has raised strong objections, warning that tampering with the Indus system’s water supply could be interpreted as an “act of war.”
With Pakistan heavily reliant on the Indus River for agriculture and power generation, a reduction in water flow would have serious consequences for the country’s food and energy security.
Tensions between the two neighbours are running high, and global observers are watching closely as the dispute threatens to further destabilize the already fragile regional balance.
This is the first time India has pulled out of the World Bank-brokered Indus Waters Treaty, casting doubt over the future of one of the region’s most enduring agreements.