Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has issued a strong warning over India’s expanding network of reservoirs and water diversion projects on the Indus River system, saying the developments could fundamentally alter river flows, threaten regional water security, and provide New Delhi with unprecedented leverage over a resource vital to millions of people.
Addressing an international conference on transboundary water resources in Brussels via video link on Thursday, Dar said Pakistan’s concerns are rooted not in rhetoric but in what it sees as a growing pattern of infrastructure development across rivers governed by the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
According to Beyond Time News, Dar claimed that at least 17 Indian projects involving reservoirs, storage facilities, expansion works, and diversion schemes are either underway or planned on rivers within the Indus Basin. He warned that the cumulative impact of these projects could reshape the river system and create what he described as “hydro-hegemony” — the ability of one state to exert disproportionate influence over shared water resources.
“Water must never be viewed as an instrument of coercion,” Dar told participants, stressing that access to water is a fundamental necessity rather than a geopolitical tool.
Pakistan Says Concerns Go Beyond Political Statements
In one of his strongest remarks on the issue, Dar said Pakistan’s position is based on observable developments rather than public statements alone.
“It is important to underscore that our concerns are not merely based on Indian statements,” he said, pointing to a series of projects on the Indus, Chenab, and Ravi rivers.
The deputy prime minister argued that the scale of ongoing infrastructure development raises legitimate concerns about future water management in the region. While India maintains that its projects comply with treaty provisions, Pakistan fears that expanded storage capacity and diversion mechanisms could affect downstream flows during critical agricultural periods.
Water from the Indus Basin supports Pakistan’s food production, power generation, industrial activity, and drinking water supplies. Any disruption to the system could have significant economic and social consequences for a country where agriculture remains heavily dependent on river irrigation.
Growing Tensions Over the Indus Waters Treaty
Dar’s remarks come amid renewed uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indus Waters Treaty, one of the world’s longest-standing and most successful water-sharing agreements.
Signed in 1960 with World Bank support, the treaty established a framework for the use of six rivers shared by Pakistan and India. Despite multiple wars, military standoffs, and periods of diplomatic hostility, the agreement has remained largely intact for more than six decades.
However, tensions escalated in May 2025 when India announced it was suspending its participation in the treaty following allegations related to a deadly attack on tourists in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Pakistan strongly rejected those allegations and insisted that the treaty remains legally binding under international law.
Islamabad has repeatedly argued that no provision within the agreement allows either side to withdraw unilaterally, maintaining that disputes must be addressed through mechanisms already embedded within the treaty framework.
India Plans Measures to Restrict Water Flow to Pakistan as Indus Waters Treaty Dispute Deepens
Dar Calls for Respect for International Law
During his address, Dar emphasized that international agreements derive their value from the willingness of states to honour them, particularly during periods of disagreement.
He said Pakistan has consistently used established legal and diplomatic channels to address concerns regarding treaty implementation and has respected outcomes delivered through international mechanisms even when those decisions did not fully align with its expectations.
Without naming India directly in this context, Dar argued that responsible nations work within agreed legal frameworks rather than abandoning them when disputes arise.
According to Beyond Time News, the deputy prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, describing treaty compliance as essential for maintaining regional stability.
Why Water Security Matters in South Asia
The Indus River system is one of the largest transboundary river networks in the world and serves as a lifeline for hundreds of millions of people across South Asia.
Originating in the Himalayan region, the river system flows through territories administered by both countries before reaching Pakistan’s vast agricultural plains.
Experts have long warned that water security is emerging as one of the most significant strategic challenges facing the region. Rapid population growth, increasing urbanization, environmental degradation, and climate change are placing growing pressure on already stressed water resources.
In this context, disputes over water management carry implications that extend far beyond technical disagreements. They affect food security, economic growth, energy production, environmental sustainability, and regional peace.
Dar told conference participants that rivers are not merely channels of water but lifelines carrying historical, cultural, and economic significance for entire societies.
Climate Change Adding New Risks
Another major theme of Dar’s speech was the growing impact of climate change on global water resources.
Pakistan contributes less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. In recent years, the country has experienced devastating floods, prolonged droughts, glacier melt, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
These challenges have heightened concerns over long-term water availability and management.
Dar argued that climate change makes international cooperation even more important because fluctuating river flows and extreme weather events can amplify existing tensions over shared resources.
He called on the international community to strengthen cooperation on water-related challenges and support mechanisms that encourage sustainable and equitable management of transboundary rivers.
Cooperation Remains the Only Sustainable Path
Despite expressing serious concerns about India’s water infrastructure projects, Dar emphasized that Pakistan continues to favour dialogue and peaceful engagement.
He said lasting solutions can only emerge through diplomacy, cooperation, and respect for mutually agreed obligations.
The deputy prime minister also stressed that the issue extends beyond South Asia. In an increasingly interconnected world facing climate uncertainty, he argued that respect for international treaties is a global imperative rather than a regional preference.
His remarks reflect Pakistan’s continuing effort to draw international attention to the future of the Indus Waters Treaty and the broader question of how shared water resources should be governed in an era of rising environmental and geopolitical pressures.
As debates over water security become increasingly central to international relations, the future of the Indus River system is likely to remain a critical issue for both Pakistan and India, as well as for policymakers concerned with regional stability and sustainable development.
FAQs
Why did Ishaq Dar warn about India’s Indus River projects?
Dar said expanding reservoirs and diversion schemes could alter natural river flows and give India greater control over shared water resources.
What is hydro-hegemony?
Hydro-hegemony refers to a situation in which one country gains significant influence or control over shared water systems, potentially affecting downstream states.
How many projects did Pakistan highlight?
According to Dar, at least 17 projects involving reservoirs, expansions, and diversion schemes are a cause of concern for Pakistan.
What is the Indus Waters Treaty?
The Indus Waters Treaty is a 1960 agreement between Pakistan and India that governs the use of six rivers within the Indus Basin.
Why is the Indus River system important?
The river system supports agriculture, drinking water supplies, energy generation, and economic activity for millions of people across South Asia.
SEO Hashtags
#IshaqDar #IndusWatersTreaty #IndusRiver #PakistanIndia #WaterSecurity #HydroHegemony #SouthAsia #ClimateChange #RegionalStability #TransboundaryWaterResources #PakistanNews #InternationalLaw
