Pakistan says India ‘weaponising water’ in dangerous escalation

Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson has issued strong statements regarding India’s recent conduct and its implications for regional stability, AFP reports.

Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan declared: “It is most unfortunate that India’s reckless conduct has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict.”

“India’s jingoism and war hysteria should be a source of serious concern for the world,” Khan added, highlighting Pakistan’s perspective on the deteriorating bilateral relationship.

The diplomatic tensions have prompted the Chinese embassies in both India and Pakistan to issue travel advisories. According to Reuters, amid what it describes as the worst fighting in the region in nearly three decades, Chinese diplomatic missions have urged their citizens in both countries to “closely follow the situation and enhance security measures.”

Ambassador Khan specifically addressed India’s recent position on the Indus Water Treaty, a longstanding agreement that has regulated water sharing between the two nations since 1960.

“The Indus Water Treaty had been a successful water-sharing arrangement between India and Pakistan, withstanding the test of wars and standoffs,” he noted. “However, the current Indian dispensation is bent on weaponising water… holding in abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty is unilateral and illegal, there are no such provisions in the treaty.”

Khan characterised India’s actions regarding the treaty as demonstrating “blatant disregard for international treaties” and setting “a dangerous precedent,” describing the decision as “an attack on the people of Pakistan and its economy.”

The ambassador firmly stated Pakistan’s position that “the treaty remains in force and fully binding on the parties,” dismissing India’s announcement as having “no legal consequence.”

He also rejected Indian claims that Pakistan had refused diplomatic engagement, asserting: “The Indian allegation of Pakistan’s refusal to enter into government to government negotiations is also incorrect… Pakistan has been continuously engaged with India on the subject.”

These developments come against a backdrop of historical tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, whose relations have been marked by periods of conflict and diplomatic strain since their independence in 1947.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​