'Water or War?': Bilawal Bhutto's Explosive Warning to India Over Indus Treaty Bilawal Bhutto Raises the Stakes: 'Pakistan Ready on All Fronts' Amid Indus Ro
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party and former foreign minister, has warned India that the country is “ready on all fronts” if India challenges Pakistan’s water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
India receives a severe warning from Bilawal Bhutto on the Indus Waters Treaty.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party and former foreign minister, has warned India that the country is “ready on all fronts” if India challenges Pakistan’s water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Speaking at a public gathering, Bilawal said Islamabad will take stern action against any attempt to curtail Pakistan's share of river waters and accused India of trying to sabotage the 65-year-old pact.
The comments come amid already fraught ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The diplomatic controversy has brought the Indus Waters Treaty into focus.
What caused the conflict?
Following the horrific terror assault in Pahalgam earlier this year, India decided to put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold, which led to the most recent escalation. New Delhi has stated unequivocally that "terror and talks cannot go together" and that serious action against cross-border terrorism is a prerequisite for any future engagement with Pakistan.
However, Pakistan insists that the agreement cannot be unilaterally stopped because it is an international convention. Islamabad has urged the international community to make sure the agreement is upheld and accused India of politicizing water.
Importance of Indus Waters Treaty
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, is an agreement between India and Pakistan that defines the sharing of water from the Indus river system.
But the accord has survived for more than 60 years through three wars and decades of animosity. Considered one of the world’s strongest water-sharing agreements.
Experts are now warning that a prolonged deadlock could badly damage the accord and worsen already fragile bilateral relations.
The conflict is still ongoing.
India has not formally addressed Bilawal's most recent remarks. But New Delhi has consistently stated that national security is its first priority and that it will only engage in negotiations if Pakistan combats terrorism.
As observers hope diplomatic channels can stop any escalation, both sides are currently trading barbs. The Indus Waters Treaty is likely to continue to be a significant source of contention between India and Pakistan in the upcoming months because water is at the center of the conflict.
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