Here are detailed explanations on the India-Pakistan water treaty conflict as of April 25, 2025:
🇮🇳 India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty After Deadly Kashmir Attack
In the wake of a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 Indian tourists and injured many others, the Indian government has announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, allocated the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries. India is now set to halt the flow of these waters into Pakistan, a move seen as a significant geopolitical shift. India’s government stated that the attack, allegedly backed by elements from Pakistan, was the final straw.
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🇵🇰 Pakistan Deems Treaty Suspension an 'Act of War'
Pakistan has condemned India’s decision as a violation of international law, calling it an "act of war." Officials in Islamabad stated that the Indus Waters Treaty is a legally binding agreement that cannot be unilaterally revoked. The Foreign Office warned that any attempt to alter water flows could lead to a severe humanitarian and agricultural crisis in Pakistan, and that the country "reserves the right to respond." Pakistan has also approached the United Nations and the International Court of Justice to intervene.
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| Line of control 🛂 |
🔫 Cross-Border Skirmishes Erupt Along Line of Control
Shortly after the suspension announcement, Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kashmir region. Although initial reports confirmed no casualties, both sides have accused each other of provocation. These skirmishes reflect growing tensions and the potential for the water dispute to escalate into broader military conflict. Civilians in border areas are reportedly being evacuated as a precautionary measure.
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✈️ Airspace and Trade Suspensions Heighten Tensions
Both nations have begun implementing diplomatic and economic countermeasures. India has:
Revoked visas for Pakistani nationals.
Shut down trade routes across the Wagah border.
Closed its airspace to flights originating from Pakistan.
In response, Pakistan has:
Suspended all Indian visas.
Closed its airspace to Indian commercial and military aircraft.
Ceased bilateral trade agreements, further straining already fragile ties.
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🏗️ India Plans Infrastructure to Redirect Indus Waters
India revealed a three-point infrastructure plan to utilize the Indus waters domestically:
1. Increase Dam Storage – Existing dams will be upgraded to store more water.
2. Divert Water Flow – Construction of canals and tunnels will redirect river water toward Indian states such as Punjab and Haryana for irrigation and hydropower.
3. Build New Reservoirs – New water storage facilities will be fast-tracked to maximize use of river flow previously shared with Pakistan.
This strategy, if fully implemented, could reduce the flow of water to Pakistan by 20–30%, according to analysts.
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🌍 International Community Urges Restraint
The United Nations, the United States, and the European Union have issued statements urging both nations to avoid further escalation and resume dialogue. The World Bank, which originally facilitated the Indus Waters Treaty, has also expressed concern and offered to mediate. There are fears that any conflict over water — considered a lifeline in South Asia — could have devastating consequences,
not just for the two countries but for regional stability as a whole.
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