'Position on Indus Waters Treaty consistent': India says pact remains in abeyance until Pakistan ends cross-border terrorism

India on Friday firmly reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will continue to remain in abeyance, rejecting criticism from Pakistan and asserting that there has been no change in New Delhi’s position on the landmark water-sharing pact.

Addressing a weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s decision was a direct response to Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism and stressed that the treaty’s suspension would remain in place until Islamabad takes verifiable action.

“India’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty is consistent. The IWT remains in abeyance in response to Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism," Jaiswal said.

He further underlined that Pakistan must “credibly and irrevocably end its support for cross-border terrorism," making it clear that New Delhi views the issue of terrorism and the future of the treaty as closely interconnected.

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India suspended the implementation of the 1960 treaty following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, as part of a broader set of diplomatic and strategic measures directed at Pakistan.

Since then, Indian officials have maintained that any reconsideration of the treaty’s status would depend on a fundamental change in Pakistan’s approach toward cross-border terrorism.

Pakistan pushes back against India’s stand

The latest remarks from New Delhi came after Pakistan strongly objected to India’s decision and accused it of attempting to weaponise water resources for strategic purposes.

At a separate media briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi rejected India's justification for suspending the treaty and argued that allegations relating to terrorism were being used as a basis to deny Pakistan access to what it considers its legitimate share of water under the agreement.

Islamabad has consistently maintained that the treaty remains valid and binding and has called on India to restore its implementation.

Escalating war of words

The dispute has also triggered a sharp exchange of statements from senior Pakistani leaders, who have warned of potential consequences if the deadlock over the treaty continues.

Pakistan’s Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik adopted a combative tone, alleging that Islamabad would “cut off those hands" that sought to deprive Pakistan of its share of water under the agreement. He described any move to restrict water flows allocated to Pakistan as unacceptable.

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also raised concerns about the growing tensions surrounding the issue, warning that the dispute could evolve into a “water war" if not resolved through dialogue.

He accused India of turning water into a source of confrontation and suggested that the continued suspension of the treaty could deepen strains between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Dar says treaty cannot be suspended unilaterally

Adding to Islamabad’s criticism, Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar argued that India has no legal basis to place the treaty in abeyance.

Dar maintained that the agreement remains protected under international law and contended that neither party can unilaterally suspend or terminate obligations under a treaty that contains no provision permitting such action. He also warned that any attempt to deny Pakistan its allocated water resources could have wider implications for regional stability and security.

Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari echoed those concerns, cautioning that continued suspension of the treaty could carry “profound consequences."

Describing the Indus River as Pakistan’s “lifeline," Bhutto-Zardari argued that water should not be used as a bargaining chip or instrument of political pressure. He urged Pakistani authorities to continue raising the issue both with India and before the international community.

New Delhi maintains firm position

Despite mounting criticism from Islamabad, India has shown no indication of revisiting its decision.

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 after nearly a decade of negotiations and facilitated by the World Bank, governs the sharing of waters from the Indus river system between India and Pakistan. It has long been regarded as one of the most enduring agreements between the two countries despite multiple wars and prolonged periods of tension.

However, New Delhi has repeatedly argued that the broader circumstances surrounding the treaty have changed and has linked any future review of its status to Pakistan’s actions on terrorism.

With both sides hardening their positions, the future of the six-decade-old agreement remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to already strained India-Pakistan relations.

With inputs from agencies