Indus Waters Treaty
India has taken significant steps in response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, a Muslim-majority region in Indian-occupied Kashmir, which resulted in the tragic killing of 26 tourists.
In a move that has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the closure of the Attari border checkpoint.
These actions follow the deadly shooting at the popular tourist destination in Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 visitors. This attack has further aggravated the already fraught relations between the two neighboring countries.
In addition to these measures, India has ordered all Pakistani nationals residing in the country to leave within 48 hours, a decision that comes in the wake of a vow by the Indian government to respond strongly to the attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level security meeting following the incident, where key figures including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the situation and formulated India’s response.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, was intended to ensure the fair distribution of water between India and Pakistan. Under the treaty, India was granted control over the eastern rivers — Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej — while Pakistan has rights to the western rivers — Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum, which flow primarily through Indian-controlled Kashmir into Pakistan.
Despite the treaty’s provisions, Pakistan has long accused India of violating the agreement, particularly in relation to India’s control over the western rivers.
In a related diplomatic move, India has declared all Pakistani defence, military, naval, and air attachés at the Pakistani High Commission as persona non grata, a designation meaning “unwelcome person.” This move is reciprocated by Pakistan, which has announced the recall of its own defence attaché from India.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs also stated that, by May 1, the number of personnel at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad would be reduced from 55 to 30. This reduction in diplomatic staff is a response to the growing tensions between the two countries, particularly centered around the Kashmir dispute and border issues.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office expressed deep concern over the tragic loss of life in the recent attack in Anantnag district, Indian-occupied Kashmir. Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch extended condolences to the victims’ families and wished for the swift recovery of the injured.
This response highlights the ongoing humanitarian concerns in the region amidst rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The incident underscores the fragile state of relations between the two countries, which continues to be exacerbated by the Kashmir issue and the broader geopolitical dynamics of the region.
