Pakistan Warns of Historic Response to India's Water Treaty Move

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following India's announcement to suspend participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, a move linked to recent violence in Kashmir and perceived cross-border threats. The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, is critical for Pakistan, as the Indus river system supplies the vast majority of its agricultural and freshwater needs, supporting over 240 million people. Pakistan's leaders have warned that any attempt by India to block or divert river flows would be considered a declaration of war, emphasizing the treaty's status as an internationally binding agreement. While India's current infrastructure limits immediate large-scale diversion of water, experts note that accelerating dam projects could eventually give India more control over river flows, potentially devastating Pakistan's agriculture and economy. Pakistan faces internal water management challenges and limited diplomatic leverage, but may seek international support amid these threats. The suspension marks a decisive shift in India's strategy, signaling an end to 'business-as-usual' diplomacy and raising the risk of severe humanitarian and geopolitical fallout in South Asia.