How will the Indus water treaty freeze affect South Asia? DW 05/16/2025
Briefly

In a recent national address, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the need for Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure for any hopes of peace. Following a violent attack in Kashmir, which claimed numerous lives, India suspended the longstanding Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, a significant treaty concerning water-sharing. While the water continues to flow for now, speculation arises regarding India's plans to divert more water from the Indus system. Pakistan's response warns that any water withholding could be seen as an act of war, indicating the treaty's importance between the two nations.
"If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace," Modi stated emphatically, pointing towards a solution that hinges on terrorism. The message from India is clear: negotiations can only resume on the matter of terrorism.
Modi's speech did not mention the Indus Waters Treaty, but it was understood that the water-sharing deal would remain "in abeyance" as a response to escalating tensions following recent terrorist attacks.
Islamabad warned that any witholding of water would be deemed an act of war, highlighting the critical importance of the Indus River system to Pakistan's agricultural and energy needs. This intensifies the tensions surrounding water resources and regional stability.
The Indus River system spans over 3,000 kilometers and plays a pivotal role in the agricultural and hydropower capacity of Pakistan. India is now contemplating plans to build infrastructure to potentially divert water from this crucial resource.
Read at www.dw.com
[
|
]