NEW DELHI: The Indian Embassy in Washington issued a strong statement on Friday defending the government’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, citing continued support for terrorism and the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed civilian lives.
“The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 with the spirit of goodwill and cooperation,” the statement read. “However, Pakistan’s well-documented, state-sponsored terrorism has severely eroded that foundation.”
India asserted that no cooperation is possible with a country “responsible for killing innocent civilians,” reinforcing that the treaty can no longer be honored in the current climate.
The statement follows India’s formal communication to Pakistan, announcing the suspension of the treaty with immediate effect. Jal Shakti Ministry Secretary Debashree Mukherjee, in a letter to her Pakistani counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza, stated, “The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Pakistan, reacting strongly, warned that any attempt to divert water under the treaty terms would be considered an “act of war.”
The treaty suspension is part of a broader set of diplomatic and strategic measures India has taken in response to the deadly attack in Pahalgam. Following a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri outlined the steps at a press briefing.
Key measures include:
- Immediate suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan ceases support for terrorism.
- Closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari, allowing only those with valid travel permits to return before May 1, 2025.
- Revocation of all Pakistani travel under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), with existing visa holders required to leave India within 48 hours.
- Expulsion of all defence, military, naval, and air advisors posted at the Pakistani High Commission in India, who have been declared persona non grata and given one week to depart.
- A corresponding withdrawal of Indian defence attaches from Islamabad.
India’s message is clear: there will be no cooperation without accountability.