NEW DELHI (June 21, 2025) – India has firmly announced that it will not restore the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah stated this in a recent interview with Times of India, adding that water flowing to Pakistan will now be diverted for domestic use. He said the decision was made after a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which India blames on Pakistan.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, allowed Pakistan to use three major rivers for farming and water needs. These rivers begin in India but flow into Pakistan. However, after the IIOJK attack, India placed the treaty “on hold” and began planning to use more of that water for its own people, especially in Rajasthan. Shah said the new canal project would ensure Pakistan receives none of the “unjustified” water.
India’s decision comes even though a ceasefire was agreed last month after intense fighting between the two nations. Now, Shah’s remarks have ended hopes of treaty talks anytime soon. He claimed India’s actions are lawful and aimed at protecting national interest. But Pakistan has warned that blocking its water supply could lead to serious consequences.
The Indus Waters Treaty has worked for over 60 years, even during wars. Now, its future looks uncertain. Pakistan is considering a legal challenge under international law. Officials in Islamabad say India cannot quit the treaty alone. They also stress that any attempt to cut water supply will be treated as an “act of war.”
International experts are watching the situation closely. They fear that this water dispute could turn into a major crisis. Many believe it threatens not just peace but also water security in South Asia. So far, Pakistan’s foreign ministry has not made an official response. However, growing tensions suggest the issue may soon reach global courts or diplomatic forums.