Is India 'weaponising' water against Pakistan
Pakistan has criticised India’s plans to develop two new projects on the Chenab River, alleging that the initiatives would amount to the “weaponisation” of water resources and violate the Indus Waters Treaty.
The comments were made on Thursday, June 5, by Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi amid growing tensions over water-sharing arrangements between the two neighbouring countries.
Addressing a media briefing, Andrabi said Pakistan had not been consulted on either of the proposed projects and argued that the plans undermined the framework of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the distribution and management of shared river waters.
“These projects confirm that India seems to weaponise water,” Andrabi said.
India has announced two separate schemes involving the Chenab River this year and maintains that the projects fall within its rights under existing agreements, despite concerns in Pakistan that they could affect downstream water flows.
The dispute has intensified since India announced last year that it was placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. Pakistan has rejected that position, insisting that the treaty remains legally binding and cannot be suspended or terminated unilaterally.
Andrabi reiterated Islamabad’s position, stating that any actions threatening Pakistan’s water security would be unacceptable.
The Indus Waters Treaty has long been one of the few enduring agreements between India and Pakistan, surviving multiple wars and periods of political tension. Relations deteriorated sharply after India suspended its participation following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir in April 2025. New Delhi accused Islamabad of supporting the attackers, an allegation Pakistan has denied.
Image via depositphotos.com
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