On April 23, 2025, India announced a dramatic change in its water diplomacy, placing the Water Treaty “in suspense” with immediate effect. The 1960 historical agreement, which governs the distribution of the India River system between India and Pakistan, is now in Limbo after a mortal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that charged 26 lives.
In this detailed explanator, we unpack what is the Treaty of Indo Waters and why it has served as a stability pillar for more than 60 years, how the decision of India could affect agriculture and the water supply of Pakistan, and the changes that India now implements. We also examine why India believes that cross-border terrorism justifies to suspend the treaty, the legal framework under the Vienna Convention that allows such movement and what this development points to the future of relations between India-Pakistan.
From the future of river inspections to the fate of subsequent regions in Pakistan, this decision could remodel the geopolitical landscape of southern Asia.
Observe now to understand the complete implications of the bold passage of India, and what could happen next.
Posted on April 24, 2025