India’s Water Terrorism and Pakistan’s Victory
Water is not only a need but also a sign of continuation, prosperity, and life itself. Where we have water, there have been civilizations; and where there is a desiccation, there is a decrease in life. This is a fact that has not changed over centuries. India’s Water Terrorism and Pakistan’s Victory.
Water is what keeps people not only alive but also keeps the balance of farming, finance, and environment in a country. With the changing aspect of the modern world, the role of water has also changed not only as a natural resource but also as a strategic, military, and diplomatic weapon in relationships between states.
Geopolitical Reality of the Indus Basin
The geography of the Indus River system poses a sort of power balance in the case of South Asia. The mighty Indus River which originates in the Tibet province (which is under the control of China), passes through Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and then enters Pakistan. The other rivers that flow through Indian territory and eventually connect to the river system in Pakistan include the Jhelum, the Chenab, etc. This up-down relationship has been one of the sources of continuous flashpoints between the two countries, India and Pakistan, on water politics.
To overcome this precarious situation, the two countries signed the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in 1960 with the support of the World Bank. According to this historic treaty, the 2 rivers (in the east, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) were given to India, and the other 3 rivers (in the west, Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, and Rave) were given to Pakistan.
Pakistan had the permission to utilize up to 90% of western waters. There were strict technical conditions that enabled India to use these rivers for limited non-consumptive use. The treaty also provided a Permanent Indus Commission that would settle the disputes and data sharing between the two countries.
For decades the Indus Waters Treaty remained in force even during several wars and border skirmishes, being an example of long-term bilateral cooperation. It was even praised all over the world as one of the most successful agreements in water sharing in history.
India’s Attempt at Water Weaponization
This spirit of cooperation was, however, threatened when in April 2025 the Pahalgam incident occurred following which India itself declared that it was suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. This action amounted to water terrorism that was an intentional effort to use a commodity that is essential, as well as cruel, in a region that was already delicate. This was not only something that defied international standards but also something that did not agree with moral decency.
Looking at the treaty as a red line, Pakistan took the matter straight to the Court of Arbitration. In one of the mega diplomatic and legal achievements by Islamabad, a definite decision by the court was given on June 27, 2025, in favor of Pakistan.
The Importance of Honest Data Exchange
After the pronouncement of the court, it is now upon the two parties, especially India, to fulfill the provisions of the treaty both literally and in spirit. An important aspect of the Indus Waters Treaty is information sharing of the hydrological data. This involves data on river discharges, dam levels, and flood warnings, which are very crucial in the management of water, farming, preparing for calamities, and adapting to climatic changes.
It is sad that despite reliable reports, only 40 percent of the required water information is shared between the two countries. A former Pakistani commissioner of water complained that India has never been fully cooperative, even at a time when there is no tension between the two countries, always withholding vital information and abrogating the spirit of the agreement.
This is an issue that lacks transparency, posing significant threats not only to bilateral relations but also to stability in the region. When these countries do not have any correct and up-to-date data, they are susceptible to such calamities as droughts and floods, which, with climate change, are increasingly becoming common.
India’s Defiance and Global Isolation
India’s political leadership has decided to go after doubling down even after the decision by the Court of Arbitration. Amit Shah, the Indian Home Minister, was bold to announce publicly that the Indus Waters Treaty shall never be restored, a sign of a high potential disregard of international law. This is a body position of the defiant child who refuses to believe that he or she is beaten, though the judgment of the law and the conscience is on the other side.
This behavior does not only pose questions about the rights of Pakistan but also about the power of international institutions as well. India opposing the ruling of the court shows a trend of authoritarianism pursued by the Modi regime that remains uninterested in international rules as long as they can ascend to power in their country.
But suddenly, the world has another focus on this irresponsible behavior. The principled position of Pakistan is not only tolerated by the laws but also accepted by ethics. The failure to stop flowing water, the very base of life, against a neighboring country has come to hurt this country that India is in desperate need of, thus losing its image in the international world.
A Call for Peace and Cooperation
Hope remains that sanity will take over. It is imperative that the decision taken by the Court of Arbitration should be executed in good faith. India would have to come back to the table of negotiation, play by the rules of treaties, and allow the exchange of free cross-checking data. The importance of regional cooperation in water is not only a legal necessity but also a humanitarian requirement.
In case India pursues further the policy of water war, it should consider the Karbala lesson, which states that the blockers of water always end up in shame. There is nothing meaner in the life of humanity than denying people water. Let the rivers run their courses freely, let life abound, and let nations blossom together in peace and not perish in arrogance.
