In the aftermath of Pahalgam Terror Attack, India, on Thursday, officially informed Pakistan about New Delhi’s move to immediately suspend the Indus Waters Treaty due to the recent terrorist assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals—primarily tourists—and injured numerous others.
The message, delivered through an official letter from India’s Water Resources Secretary Debashree Mukherjee to her Pakistani counterpart, Syed Ali Murtaza, indicated that Islamabad had violated the treaty terms due to ongoing cross-border terrorism aimed at Jammu and Kashmir.
In her letter she reminded Islamabad that the duty to uphold a treaty in good faith is essential to a treaty, however what has been observed instead is the ongoing cross-border terrorism from Pakistan aimed at Indian Union Territory of J&K.
India stated that, furthermore, ongoing cross-border terrorism has created “uncertainties” that have “directly impeded India’s full utilization of its rights under the Treaty.”
The letter came soon after Islamabad, attempting to respond to New Delhi’s diplomatic campaign following the Pahalgam massacre, warned it might halt all accords with the neighboring nation, including the 1972 Simla agreement, which recognizes the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
“The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India’s full utilization of its rights under the Treaty. Furthermore, apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India’s request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the Treaty and is thus in breach of the Treaty. The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect,” it added.
The letter emphasized several transformations, such as significant changes in population demographics and India’s drive for clean energy, which have modified the basic principles of the agreement.
India additionally stated that Pakistan has declined to reply to its proposal for entering negotiations as outlined in the treaty.
Mukherjee concluded the letter by stating, “The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect.”
India has downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan and halted the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam massacre on Tuesday, where 26 tourists were killed in broad daylight by terrorists from the Resistance Front, a faction of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
