SRINAGAR: India has held the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance with immediate effect, citing Pakistan’s persistent cross-border terrorism and refusal to enter into negotiations, according to a formal letter sent by the Indian government.
The communication, addressed to Mr. Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources, was issued by India’s Water Resources Secretary Debashree Mukherjee on Thursday. The letter references earlier notices from India seeking modifications to the treaty under Article XII(3), citing fundamental changes in circumstances since the treaty’s inception.
“These changes include significantly altered population demographics, the need to accelerate clean energy development, and shifts in the assumptions underpinning water sharing,” the letter reads.
The letter further highlighted that despite India’s attempts to initiate discussions on modifying the treaty, Pakistan failed to respond. “Apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India’s request to enter into negotiations… and is thus in breach of the Treaty,” the letter states.
The Indian government also pointed to sustained cross-border terrorism allegedly originating from Pakistan and targeting Jammu and Kashmir as a direct threat to the sanctity and effective operation of the treaty.
“The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India’s full utilisation of its rights under the Treaty,” it added.
The letter concludes with the declaration: “The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect.”
On Wednesday, the Government of India suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan and closed the Attari border. The measures were taken following a marathon meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
