ISLAMABAD, (DAILY PAKLISH ): Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Has condemned India’s weaponization of water at the International Water Symposium.
He delivered the keynote address, through a video message, at the International Water Symposium, convened by Pakin-Austria in collaboration with the Vienna Diplomatic Academy.
The Symposium brought together diplomats, academics, and international experts to discuss water security and international cooperation. A separate session focused on transboundary river governance, water rights, and obligations under international law and treaties.
The DPM/FM condemned India’s weaponization of water, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), and highlighted the Court of Arbitration’s Award, which affirmed that the IWT remains in force and that its Treaty obligations must be observed. Emphasizing that shared rivers must serve peace and cooperation, not coercion, he underscored Pakistan’s commitment to the Treaty, dialogue, and cooperation, and stressed that Pakistan would defend its rights under the IWT.
He underscored the crucial role of the international community in upholding international law and treaty obligations and rejecting the weaponization of water.
He said, “It is a pleasure to virtually address this distinguished gathering at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, a city that has long stood at the centre of international diplomacy and the development of international law.I commend the Embassy of Pakistan and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna for jointly convening this important symposium. The subject before us is both timely and consequential. Water is fundamental to human survival, dignity, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. Its availability determines the food we produce, the energy we generate, the health of our communities, and, increasingly, the stability of relations among States.”
He said, “For countries sharing transboundary river systems, geography creates permanent interdependence. The fundamental question, therefore, is whether shared waters will be governed through cooperation and agreed legal frameworks, or become instruments of political pressure and confrontation.Pakistan acutely understands the importance of water security. The Indus River system has sustained civilizations for thousands of years, from the ancient Indus Valley civilisation to the communities and agricultural economies that flourish along its banks today. It is the lifeline of our country, as its waters sustain the lives and livelihoods of more than 250 million Pakistanis. They sustain our agriculture, food security, energy production, economic development, and the ecological systems that support life throughout the basin.”
“For Pakistan, therefore, water security is inseparable from food security, economic security, and ultimately national security. Any attempt to undermine Pakistan’s rights over these waters carries consequences that extend far beyond a bilateral disagreement. It was in recognition of the vital importance of the Indus Basin that Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 after a decade-long negotiation. The Treaty allocated the three Eastern Rivers, the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, to India for unrestricted use, while providing Pakistan unrestricted use of the waters of the three Western Rivers, namely the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, subject to the specific uses permitted to India under the Treaty,” he said.
He said, “The Treaty replaced upstream discretion with binding legal obligations and established a framework of certainty and predictability for both countries. It reflected a fundamental recognition that waters upon which millions depend must remain insulated from the fluctuations in political relations. India unilaterally decided in April 2025 to place the Treaty in “abeyance”. The Treaty contains no provision permitting either party to unilaterally suspend, terminate, or place it in abeyance.”
He said, “On 31 August 2026, the Court of Arbitration, constituted under the Indus Waters Treaty, rendered its unanimous Award on the Status of the Treaty following India’s decision to place it “in abeyance”.The Court examined the grounds on which a treaty could be terminated, including those advanced by India. After considering these grounds, including allegations of material breach, fundamental change of circumstances, armed conflict and countermeasures, the Court unanimously concluded that none justified the suspension or termination of the Treaty.”
“The Court unequivocally confirmed that the Treaty remains fully in force and that India continues to be bound by its obligations, including those governing the design and operation of hydroelectric projects on the Western Rivers. This is an important reaffirmation of Pakistan’s position as well as a fundamental principle of international law: pacta sunt servanda—agreements must be kept. On the same day, the Court also issued an Order on Interim Measures concerning India’s Ratle Hydro-Electric Plant. The Court imposed restrictions on the completion of specified components of the project above prescribed levels until ninety days after the Neutral Expert’s final decision. It also directed India to provide information concerning the project’s construction schedule,” he added.
He said, “The Court’s pronouncements are significant not only for Pakistan, but for the international legal order as a whole. They reinforce a fundamental proposition: the rights and obligations established under the Treaty cannot be displaced through unilateral action. Despite these authoritative pronouncements, which firmly endorse Pakistan’s position and reject India’s actions, India continues its intransigent behaviour and illegal actions vis-à-vis IWT. Pakistan has consistently sought to address its differences with India through dialogue, diplomacy and the dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the Treaty.”
“ We are also participating in the Neutral Expert proceedings under the Indus Waters Treaty, administered by the Vienna Office of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, at the historic Hofburg Palace, only a short distance from where you are gathered today.The Neutral Expert’s determination and the Court of Arbitration’s awards are crucial elements of the dispute-settlement architecture established under the Treaty. Pakistan has participated constructively in both processes, demonstrating its confidence in the institutional mechanisms created by the Treaty.The credibility of international law depends not only upon the conclusion of treaties, but also upon their faithful implementation and respect for decisions rendered under their agreed procedures. This is the principle Pakistan has consistently upheld.The use of water as an instrument of pressure against a population of more than 250 million people would have profound humanitarian, economic, and security implications,” he added.
He said, “Moreover, the implications of India’s illegal action extend well beyond South Asia. It would also establish a dangerous precedent for other transboundary river basins, where millions of people depend upon the faithful implementation of international agreements. Across the world, trans-boundary rivers sustain communities, economies, and ecosystems that are divided by political boundaries but united by geography. These shared resources require predictable rules, effective institutions, and sustained cooperation. Amidst challenges to the international law-based world order, the international community should be strengthening treaty-based cooperation, not permitting its erosion.The principles of equitable and reasonable utilisation, the prevention of significant transboundary harm, and cooperation remain essential to international water governance. Their application must, however, respect the specific rights and obligations established under the treaties governing individual river systems. For the Indus Basin, those rights and obligations are embodied in the Indus Waters Treaty.”
He said, “Pakistan remains committed to dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful settlement of disputes. We believe that cooperation over shared waters is indispensable to regional peace, economic development, and environmental sustainability. The way forward must therefore rest on three fundamental principles. First, the Indus Waters Treaty must be respected and implemented in letter and spirit. Its obligations cannot be made contingent upon political relations or unilateral considerations. Second, all questions, differences, and disputes must be addressed through the mechanisms established under the Treaty. The decisions rendered through these mechanisms must be respected and implemented. Third, both countries must strengthen technical engagement, transparency, and data-sharing in accordance with the Treaty. To conclude, let me put it in clear terms. Our preference remains clear: cooperation over coercion, dialogue over confrontation, and the rule of law over unilateralism. The future of transboundary water governance must rest on cooperation, mutual respect, and the faithful implementation of international obligations.”