India Hits Back At Pakistan Over Indus Waters Treaty Remarks At UN Conference

A day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticised India for suspending the Indus Waters Treaty at an international forum, New Delhi firmly responded, calling the remarks unwarranted and accusing Pakistan of being the actual violator due to its continued support for cross-border terrorism.

Speaking at the United Nations International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Tajikistan, Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh condemned Pakistan’s attempt to politicize the forum. “We are appalled at the attempt by Pakistan to misuse the forum and to bring in unwarranted references to issues that do not fall within the purview of this platform. We strongly condemn such an attempt,” Singh said during his address.

The sharp rebuttal followed Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s statement on Friday, in which he labelled India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as the "weaponisation of water." Sharif described India’s move as “unilateral and illegal” and said that “millions of lives must not be held hostage to narrow political gains.” He warned that Pakistan would not allow the “red line” to be crossed.

India suspended the 1960 treaty following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. The attackers were linked to Pakistan-based terror outfits, prompting New Delhi to take a series of punitive steps, including putting the treaty in abeyance.

Union Minister Singh countered Sharif’s claims by highlighting fundamental changes that have occurred since the treaty was signed, including climate change, technological developments, demographic shifts, and, most critically, Pakistan’s role in sponsoring cross-border terrorism. “These factors demand a reassessment of the treaty’s obligations,” he said.

He added that Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism directly undermines the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty. “Pakistan, which itself is in violation of the treaty due to its unrelenting cross-border terrorism, should desist from blaming India for the breakdown,” Singh asserted.

He further noted that the treaty was originally signed in the spirit of goodwill and mutual trust. “Honouring it in good faith is essential. However, that spirit is repeatedly undermined by Pakistan’s actions,” Singh said, reiterating India's stance that regional cooperation is impossible in the face of persistent hostility.