India-Pakistan Indus River Dispute: Why Water Has Become the New Flashpoint

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960 with the mediation of the World Bank, has long been regarded as one of the world's most durable water-sharing agreements. Under the treaty, India received control over the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers, while Pakistan was granted rights over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, subject to India's limited use for hydropower, irrigation, and domestic purposes. For decades, the treaty survived wars and diplomatic crises, making it a rare symbol of cooperation between the two neighbours.

The dispute intensified after India suspended the treaty in 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that normal treaty obligations could not continue until Pakistan took credible action against cross-border terrorism. Since then, India has accelerated several hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir and has maintained that the treaty no longer reflects present-day security realities. Pakistan, whose agriculture and water supply depend heavily on the Indus river system, has repeatedly expressed concern and warned that any disruption to water flows would have serious consequences.

On 21 June 2026, the issue escalated further when Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that any threat to Pakistan's water security could lead to military confrontation, calling water a matter of national security. India has continued to defend its position internationally, including at the UN Human Rights Council, where it described the treaty as outdated in the current security environment. The Indus dispute has therefore evolved beyond a water-sharing issue into a broader geopolitical and strategic challenge, with both countries maintaining sharply different positions. Any lasting solution is likely to require sustained diplomatic engagement alongside measures that address both water management and regional security concerns.