Fri Apr 25 04:30:47 UTC 2025: ## India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan After Terrorist Attack
**New Delhi, April 25, 2025** – India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, citing continued cross-border terrorism and Pakistan’s failure to renegotiate the treaty. The move, announced Wednesday, was formally communicated to Pakistan on Thursday by the Indian Ministry of Water Resources. The World Bank, a key mediator under the IWT, stated it had not been formally informed of India’s decision and does not comment on sovereign decisions of its member countries.
While India’s announcement suggests a halt to data sharing and communication regarding hydroelectric projects on the Indus river system, the Permanent Indus Commission has been inactive since 2022. India’s previous calls for renegotiation in 2023 stemmed from evolving circumstances, including population growth, changing water needs, climate change, and cross-border terrorism.
The IWT restricts India’s capacity to build large hydropower storage on the Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab). However, sources indicate that India may now explore previously unconsidered options, potentially including withdrawing from discussions on a new dispute resolution mechanism, modifying existing hydropower projects to increase water storage, and utilizing reservoir flushing techniques to control downstream water flow. This could significantly impact Pakistan, where 80% of agriculture relies on water from these rivers. The situation remains highly tense, raising serious concerns about regional stability and water security.
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