New Delhi : India on Friday reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain in abeyance until Pakistan takes credible and irreversible steps to end its support for cross-border terrorism.
Addressing the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the 1960 water-sharing agreement continues to remain suspended following the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
“The Indus Waters Treaty stands in abeyance in response to Pakistan’s sponsorship of cross-border terrorism,” Jaiswal said, adding that the treaty would not be restored unless there is a permanent and verifiable cessation of such activities.
The suspension followed India’s military response under Operation Sindoor in May 2025, during which terrorist infrastructure was targeted after the Pahalgam attack.
Responding to Pakistan’s recent criticism of India’s hydroelectric projects on the Chenab and Beas rivers, Jaiswal dismissed the objections and said India’s decisions are guided by its national interests and security considerations.
On remarks made by the Turkish Foreign Minister regarding regional developments, the MEA maintained that India’s international engagements are shaped by its independent foreign policy and strategic priorities. “All our international engagements have their own standing and importance,” Jaiswal said, underlining India’s strategic autonomy.
The impact of the treaty’s suspension is particularly visible at the Baglihar Dam in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district, where the dam gates have remained closed for an extended period. Officials view the move as part of India’s evolving approach to water management and hydropower operations in the region.
The MEA also reaffirmed its position on ongoing legal disputes related to the treaty. India has rejected the May 15, 2026 award issued by what it describes as an “illegally constituted” Court of Arbitration concerning maximum pondage and treaty interpretation issues. New Delhi maintains that it never recognized the court and considers all its proceedings and decisions to be “null and void.”
As the Indus Waters Treaty enters its second year in abeyance, India’s position reflects a tougher diplomatic and strategic stance, linking regional stability and resource management directly to the issue of state-sponsored terrorism.