UN Calls for Respecting Water-Sharing Treaties After India Threatens to End Indus Pact - Bio Points News

UN Urges Respect for Water-Sharing Treaties After India Threatens End to Indus Pact

The United Nations has emphasized the importance of honoring international agreements on natural resource sharing, following a top Indian minister’s threat to permanently terminate the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan — a move that could ignite severe geopolitical tensions in South Asia.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, when asked about the remarks made by India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, said, “I haven’t seen that particular statement, but, obviously, it is critical that natural resources be shared based on mutually accepted treaties.” His comments came during a regular press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.

India had earlier suspended its participation in the landmark 1960 water-sharing agreement, citing a deadly incident in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians. New Delhi labeled the attack as terrorism and blamed external actors. Pakistan has firmly denied any involvement.

The IWT, brokered by the World Bank, allows Pakistan access to over 80% of the waters from three major rivers originating in India — a crucial lifeline for Pakistan's agricultural sector. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire that paused escalating violence between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, India has not resumed the treaty's mechanisms.

In a recent interview with The Times of India, Amit Shah claimed that India would permanently divert water flowing into Pakistan toward the Indian state of Rajasthan by constructing new canal systems. When asked if the IWT could be restored, Shah stated bluntly, “No, it will never be restored.”

Pakistan Slams India’s Remarks as a Violation of International Law

Reacting strongly to Shah’s comments, Pakistan’s Foreign Office condemned the threat as a blatant violation of international law. “The statement reflects a brazen disregard for the sanctity of international agreements,” said spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan. He warned that such rhetoric sets a dangerous precedent and undermines global norms governing bilateral treaties.

Addressing Pakistan’s National Assembly on Monday, former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called India’s suspension of the treaty “illegal” and warned of grave consequences if India followed through on the threat. “Blocking Pakistan’s water is not just unlawful — it violates the UN Charter,” he declared.

Bhutto-Zardari, who previously led diplomatic efforts to counter India’s narrative internationally, said, “If India acts on these threats, Pakistan will be forced to fight another war.” Referring to past military confrontations, he added, “Our air force has already defeated India once — we are prepared to do it again.”

A Treaty at Risk, A Region on Edge

The Indus Waters Treaty, often hailed as a rare success in India-Pakistan relations, now faces one of its most serious challenges in over six decades. As regional tensions intensify, international voices like the UN are urging both nations to honor their longstanding commitments and avoid escalations that could further destabilize South Asia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad is reportedly preparing to escalate the issue at the United Nations and other global forums if India continues to signal its withdrawal from the treaty.