An American journal has strongly backed Pakistan’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and clearly stated that India’s recent actions on IWT could heighten regional tensions and trigger a serious humanitarian crisis in South Asia.
According to a report published by The National Interest, water politics in South Asia has entered a critical new phase following what it describes as India’s suspension of obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty. The journal cautions that undermining the treaty, which has governed water-sharing between India and Pakistan for decades, risks destabilising an already fragile region.
The report highlights India’s Dulhasti Stage II hydropower project as a step that runs contrary to the spirit and provisions of the treaty. It argues that India is increasingly treating water as a strategic weapon, a shift that could have far-reaching political and humanitarian consequences.
The National Interest further notes that any prolonged disruption in water flows could evolve into a major humanitarian threat, affecting food security and livelihoods across South Asia. The Indus Waters Treaty, the report emphasises, serves as a fundamental guarantee of food security for millions of people in the region.
The journal also criticises India’s alleged withholding of hydrological data, calling it a violation of international law. It points out that the International Court of Arbitration has clearly stated that India cannot unilaterally suspend or alter the Indus Waters Treaty.
Under the treaty’s framework, India is legally bound to ensure the flow of water from the western rivers to Pakistan. Any attempt to politicise or weaponise water resources, the report concludes, is unacceptable in the eyes of international courts and runs counter to established principles of international law.
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