Tensions Rise on Brink of Collapse where Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sternly warns India on suspension of Historic Indus Waters Treaty
In a sharp heightening of tensions across the border, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning to India after New Delhi suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. The warning follows the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which several Indian safety personnel were killed.
Addressing in Islamabad, Asif denounced India’s cross to suspend the decades-long water-sharing pact, labeling any attempts to divert water as a war act. “We will view suspension of the treaty as sheer aggression. Any attempt to put together infrastructure to stop or modify water flow will be obliterated,” he asserted.
The Treaty: A Fragile Pillar of Peace
Signed in 1960 under the aegis of the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty has been described as one of the most remunerative water-sharing agreements in the world. It provides Pakistan with rights over 80% of the waters of the Indus River basin, while 20% remains with India. Though having survived three wars, the treaty had remained strong until now.
India’s decision to suspend the treaty comes after it hardened its position following a series of terror attacks blamed on groups based in Pakistan. New Delhi officials claim that the goodwill extended through the treaty can no longer be allowed alongside continuous provocation and bloodshed.
Red Line from Pakistan: Water as a Weapon
For Pakistan, an agrarian economic structure heavily dependent on the Indus basin, India’s decision struck a chord. Khawaja Asif’s statement reflects the increasing nervousness in Islamabad, where water defense is increasingly thought thru a nation-wide protection frame. He advised that India’s “weaponization” of water would elicit severe repercussions, including naval response if warranted.
The World Watches a Boiling Point
This diplomatic breakdown over water is now not just a bilateral issue it has caused concerns around the world. Experts predict that water disputes could want to dominate even routine navy flashpoints in the area. Appeals for restraint have come from global observers who worry that the collapse of the Indus Waters Treaty could want to escalate into a broader war.
As tensions reach a boiling point, the Indus soon becomes a picture of cooperation now risks becoming a trigger for war of words between two nuclear-armed neighbors.
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