UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has strongly rejected what it termed “baseless remarks” by India at the United Nations, accusing New Delhi of undermining the Indus Waters Treaty and politicising water-related issues.
The exchange took place during a high-level UN event marking World Water Day, where Pakistan’s Second Secretary Aleena Majeed exercised her right of reply following comments by the Indian representative.
During the session, India’s envoy stated that New Delhi would continue to keep the treaty “in abeyance” until Pakistan takes what it described as credible and irreversible action against terrorism. The Indian side also argued that changing technological, environmental and demographic factors necessitate revisions to the decades-old accord.
Responding to the remarks, Majeed termed the assertions unfounded and said she was compelled to respond. She emphasised that the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, has withstood wars, crises and prolonged tensions between the two countries, including the dispute over Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
She said India’s unilateral move to place the treaty in abeyance last year represents a serious deviation from its legal obligations, noting that the agreement contains no provision allowing either party to suspend or modify it unilaterally.
Majeed warned that such actions amount to the “weaponisation of water” for political purposes, posing a threat to millions of people dependent on the Indus river system.
Referring to proceedings at the Court of Arbitration, she noted that a 2025 supplemental award reaffirmed the treaty’s continued validity and binding dispute resolution mechanisms. She urged India to resume full implementation of its obligations under the agreement.
Rejecting Indian allegations of terrorism as “entirely baseless,” the Pakistani diplomat said such claims were aimed at deflecting attention from India’s own record, including alleged state-sponsored actions and human rights concerns in the region.
Reiterating Islamabad’s position, she said Pakistan remains committed to international law and the faithful implementation of the treaty, while rejecting any attempts to use water as a political tool.