ISLAMABAD: Following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (SWT), water politics in South Asia have taken a new and concerning turn. Experts warn that the move could escalate regional tensions and pose serious humanitarian risks.
According to The National Interest, India’s Dulhasti Stage-II project is a unilateral step against the treaty, effectively using water as a strategic weapon.
The report highlights that withholding river data by India violates international law, as the treaty cannot be suspended unilaterally, a point reinforced by international arbitration courts.
The Indus Waters Treaty remains a key guarantee for food security in South Asia, ensuring the flow of western rivers’ waters to Pakistan. The report stresses that India is legally obliged to provide water to Pakistan as per the treaty.
Experts also caution that India’s attempt to weaponize water could create a major humanitarian crisis in the region. Such actions are deemed unacceptable under international law and may face scrutiny in global courts.