Public sentiment regarding the Indus Waters Treaty is highly polarized, leading to strong expressions of national pride among Indians who overwhelmingly advocate for a reassessment of water rights in favor of India, opposing perceived inequities favoring Pakistan. While comments reflect humor and frustration directed at Pakistani leadership, underlying concerns about international law and potential escalation of tensions persist.

Indian Government

Pakistani Government

Comments are at the extreme.  Like, India will make Pakistan starve for water, and Pakistan will have millions dying.

I don't think none of this will happen.  India, can't just stop the water from going to Pakistan (regardless of the argument of who owns it, who should use it, etc), just considering the sheer volume of the waters.  

Also, India will not play with the livelihood of millions of people who have been living by the rivers for ages (regardless of their country hood).  It is entirely unfathomable.

I think India's intention in updating the treaty 

1. To include climate change effects and contemporary changes and add/update SOPs accordingly.
2. Ironing out terminologies (removing loopholes) for quicker and amicable conflict resolution.
3. Ensure conflicts (delaying tactics or genuine issues) are resolved between two parties only.
4. Enforce Pakistan to build more dams by limiting the water - India can finally prove to Pakistan that they are indeed wasting water and with proper dams and canal system, Pakistan can survive and actually benefit.

curiousstrider

Submission statement

* 1. The existing treaty was signed in 1960 when India-Pakistan relations were not riddled with (open) hostilities and wars.
* 2. As per the current treaty, around 80% of water is used by Pakistan, and the rest 20% by India.
* 3. Most of the rivers in the treaty originate in India.
* 4. Looking at other similar examples, the countries with origins in the rivers have kept a bigger share. 
* 5. India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru signed such a generous treaty and even agreed to provide grants (split over 10 years starting from 1960) to Pakistan to build canal systems.
* 6. This grant continued during and even after the 1965 war.
* 7. India's current PM Narendra Modi gave a statement that "Blood and water cannot flow together" in 2015.
* 8. Now, India seems to make the balance in how water is shared.

Never made sense that India signed away its water rights and I must say India and Pakistan havent ever been in good terms let alone when this was signed.

Nehru was an idealist and blind to the realities of the world. He signed it away hoping that it will pacify pakistan and its anxieties but guess what? India has been stuck without its most potent coercive weapon without breaking treaties it signed and lose legitimacy in the international state. India got nothing back as a gesture but be bled by a thousand cuts.

And Pakistan has been taking advantage of this situation by mobilizing militants saying India steals its water and also obstructing legal construction on the Indian side.

Now India is using loopholes in the treaty to potray Pakistan as not holding up its end and violating the treaty thereby nullifying the treaty.

As an Indian, I hope India wrests control of the rivers and give Pakistan access based on behaviour. A openly coercive weapon. Pakistan is neither militarily, diplomatically or economically able to counter that in the current situation. Now might just be the time with China staring at a downturn and international isolation.

Edit:https://theprint.in/diplomacy/why-india-wants-to-modify-indus-waters-treaty-with-pakistan/1338494/

This article is an excellent read to understand the current issue and Pakistan's mistake that has now allowed India to finish building the dams anyways while Pakistan dragged its feet by insisting on another arbitration court instead of progressing with an independent expert.

Now fait acompli and India wins in the short term atleast

PoorDeer

That was literally in the treaty, So no issue. 

Second - This won't really do much, India can't really stop the flow of water into Pakistan without risking a refugee crisis of millions of Pakistanis.

Longjumping_Meat_138

Doesn't india have some beef with china about water control issue? Would be tricky to pressure Pakistan while they will have similar issue with China.

genericpreparer

World Bank helped broker the Indus Waters Treaty and signed it as a third party. It's not just there for show. It's named in the treaty and has a formal role in dispute resolution.

If India walks away unilaterally, the Bank can’t ignore it. It could be forced to step in or back Pakistan in arbitration. That brings legal heat and makes it harder for India to claim this is just a bilateral issue.

Wider risk is how this plays with international lenders. Ignoring a treaty that has the World Bank’s name on it makes India look unreliable. Not great when you're looking for development loans or trying to lead global partnerships.

If India burns its credibility with the World Bank by walking out on the Indus treaty, it risks real money. Just a small rise in borrowing costs could mean an extra 20 to 30 billion dollars in interest over ten years. Projects get delayed, private capital pulls back, and infrastructure grinds slower. That hits jobs, growth, and tax revenue. Investors watch this stuff. Break one treaty and they start pricing in risk everywhere.

VPackardPersuadedMe

It is very likely illegal. The treaty, under its own terms, cannot be unilaterally suspended or terminated (or put in "abeyance", which sounds like an attempt to avoid using the terms suspended or terminated). Thus, the only justifications for termination or suspension would be those provided for in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties: supervening impossibility of performance, response to material breach, and fundamental chance of circumstance from the time that the treaty was signed. VCLT, articles 60-62. However, none of those apply in this case. 

The other possibility would be to accept that termination/suspension of treaty treaty was a breach of the treaty, but that it was a lawful countermeasure designed to induce Pakistan to comply with its international obligations. There are two problems with that, though: i) India has not shown that Pakistan is responsible for the attacks to which it claims to be responding; and ii) countermeasures cannot amount to reprisals or affect the protection of fundamental human rights. Articles on State Responsibility, article 50(1). Mass denial of access to water is arguably a reprisal that affects the right of people in Pakistan to water and sanitation. *See* CESR General Comment no. 15. So, even if Pakistan were shown to be responsible for the wrongful conduct, and even if India expressly justified its response as a countermeasure, it would still not be lawful.

Calvinball90

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The new WEF guy is the old nestle CEO who said that water is not a necessity or something along those lines. 

terapaandayaar

Chinese investment in Pakistan is already pretty much toast. I don’t think gawadar is a functional port after years of development. Pakistan needs money so they’re going with highest bidder US or China whoever. A US delegation was in Pakistan few weeks ago discussing mineral rights etc. Also I don’t think there will be a war this water issue will be resolved diplomatically, or china will threaten stop the Indus river from flowing into India even they actually have storage capacity.

Latter-Block-875

First of all, this decision was taken because of the terrorist attack that happened in Kashmir, where 4 shooters (2 from Pakistan and 2 local Kashmiri) shot and killed 28 people, (26 Hindus and 2 foreigners). The terrorists asked the victims to recite the Kalma and when they couldn’t they started shooting, the terrorists had the victims remove their pants to check if they were circumcised or not, the terrorists asked the deceased if they were Muslim or Hindu. And as of now the river hasn’t been blocked, the treaty has been suspended.

Anxious_Shape7116

I genuinely believe both India &amp; Pakistan are so unpopular globally that a war of that calibre would rage on until nukes were exchanged.

Best-Willingness-121

My bet is the terrorists were paid ops of unknown origin to deliberately stir up a crisis between both sides. More and likely Putin up to his old tricks again to take focus away from Ukraine. I doubt the terrorists took orders from Pakistan leaders.

djmelodize

cspanbook

Wheredidthatgo84

We dont know if all the infrastructure is ready yet to halt paks water (If not ready, dams will take years to get constructed) and ofc halting the water directly would just flood j&amp;k (already cloudburst in jammu). 

From what I read, shahpur Kandi dam has been constructed since 2018, and the work is almost complete earlier this year (fast track after pulwama). 

After Pulwama, India did push projects like the Shahpur Kandi dam (on the Ravi river) and the Ujh project to move faster. But even now, we’re not fully sure if these dams can actually hold back water or if they’re just for making electricity, which is allowed under the Indus Waters Treaty. (Capacity testing is underway)

 Plus the mediator is World Bank, so we can get some pressure from them as well. Not to forget china's control over brahmaputra and Pak's relations with china. 

Not against breaking the treaty, but I hope the government has taken all these factors under consideration and planned a good strategy and is not bluffing like they did during pulwama. 

This treaty had stayed intact for 7 decades of wars and attacks. Would be interesting to see if it's actually revoked and how the action is taken.

queen-elizabeths-pp

Dum_bass_42

BoysenberryUnique115

Good start, only thing is how China reacts with Brahmaputra.  

Hope its just the beginning, more about to come.

UrbanCruiserHyryder

[deleted]

What is stopping water going to achieve?

They stopped water, people are dying. We Pakistani govt care so much for our citizens, let's stop terrorism?

If there would be water crisis, it is going to affect poorest of poor. Not the terrorists, not the govt.

reddittauser

well dams take 5-6 year + to make but canals don't.. india can fast track multiple canals to divert the water flow in a year with proper engineering.. it would help north western agricultural a lot, along with support industries.. i am waiting to see if it really becomes cancelled or just some gimmick because if it gets cancelled then it will be an incredibly good blow to terrorist pakistan

Chop-Beguni_wala



🔗 **Bypass paywalls**:

* [www.indiatoday.in
                ](https://archive.is/submit/?submitid=&amp;url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/indus-water-treaty-suspended-attari-checkpost-shut-government-response-pahalgam-attack-2713599-2025-04-23)  

📣 **[Submission Statement by OP](/r/GeopoliticsIndia/comments/1k633mr/indus_waters_treaty_paused_no_entry_to_pakistanis/momp1yx/)**:
&gt; SS: **Summary: India Responds to Pahalgam Terror Attack**
&gt;
&gt;Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, India has initiated major diplomatic and strategic actions against Pakistan:
&gt;
&gt;- **Indus Waters Treaty Suspended**: India halted cooperation on 39 billion cubic meters of river flow to Pakistan.
&gt;
&gt;- **Diplomatic Expulsions**: Pakistani military envoys were expelled, and Pakistan’s New Delhi mission staff was reduced by half.
&gt;
&gt;- **Border Closure**: The Wagah border has been sealed.
&gt;
&gt;- **Entry Ban**: Pakistani nationals are barred from entering India.
&gt;
&gt;- **High-Level Security Meet**: These decisions came after a 2.5-hour Cabinet Committee on Security meeting led by PM Modi.
&gt;
&gt;The measures mark a strong diplomatic stance in response to what officials call cross-border terrorism. 

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GeoIndModBot

This sounds like using diplomatic nuke but can it be done over night? I have doubts like how can we hold waters? rivers need to meet sea or else it can create flood situation in our country?  
Do we have already that level of infra ready? like dams?

Dear OP, I hope this news shuts up the nay sayers on this sub !! This is just the beginning. Be ready, for action starts now !

Just opining what could be one course of action - some Pakistan Army (PA) divisions may move towards the east, that is towards India from the west. Hopefully, BLA will take advantage of the thinning Pak Army presence to declare independence. Maybe we can encourage them. Afghanistan may step up pressure to salami slice Pakistan towards the west. In return we could recognise them diplomatically. India should keep holding the PA at the border. Logistical support to the deployed PA will be a huge burden especially without water. Unrest in POJK can be fermented. Draw out the deployment for as long as we can. Pakistan should not last that long especially if we stop essential supplies like medicines, grains, rice etc rerouting towards them from the Gulf. If one can win this war without spilling a drop of own blood would it not be wonderful !!! Cheers !

AbhayOye

Will it have an immediate impact on Pakistan? Does India have the required infrastructure to immediately stop the flow of water? If not, then this may take years to materialize. The step by India signals India's growing frustration with Pakistan.

mrlovalova2191

I think it's a good time to declare Kashmir as permanent Union Territory and remove any Statehood dreams.

I would also remove restriction on Indians from rest of India from buying property in Kashmir and settling there. GOI, should encourage them to settle there by giving economic incentives , free housing in protected enclaves, free education, free healthcare , govt jobs,.... We have a lot of patriotic poor people in hindi heartland .It's the only way this issue will be solved in the long run, in India's favour. Until them Pak will be playing the 'M' card.

Forward-Distance-398

Abeyance is the key word , nothing done permanently

Proper_Dot1645

SS: **Summary: India Responds to Pahalgam Terror Attack**

Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, India has initiated major diplomatic and strategic actions against Pakistan:

- **Indus Waters Treaty Suspended**: India halted cooperation on 39 billion cubic meters of river flow to Pakistan.
- **Diplomatic Expulsions**: Pakistani military envoys were expelled, and Pakistan’s New Delhi mission staff was reduced by half.
- **Border Closure**: The Wagah border has been sealed.
- **Entry Ban**: Pakistani nationals are barred from entering India.
- **High-Level Security Meet**: These decisions came after a 2.5-hour Cabinet Committee on Security meeting led by PM Modi.

The measures mark a strong diplomatic stance in response to what officials call cross-border terrorism.

BROWN-MUNDA_

A stronger response than I had expected, and one with teeth. This is not a glamorous announcement to win votes but a very serious message that the average voter might not appreciate the same way as a shock and awe bombing run, but one that key decision makers around the world will take notice of.

This maybe the only way to send a clear message to China without starting a war. It could also seriously hasten the breakup of Pakistan. 

Now the ball is in Pakistan's court - if they escalate with a military response, it will be morally justified to respond with muscular alacrity.

MaffeoPolo

Honestly never expected a response as strong as this like this.

NegativeReturn000

What else can we do(non military steps to crumble Pakistan)?

Push for FATF Blacklisting 

Permanent Trade Embargo  End all bilateral and third party trade routes,UAE and Singapore.

Cyber Operations Disrupt 

Accelerate Dam Projects

Support Dissident Movements Highlight human rights issues in Balochistan, Sindh &amp; PoK at global forums.

Cultural and Sports Isolation 

What else?

IamAdvikaaa

I can’t think why an economically backward country is trying to wage a war with India. Absolutely stupid.

babubaichung

Yesterday, I was discussing about the potential suspension of IWT here . But I was of the mind that it wasn't very feasible and that too not this early. Seems like a bold step and has been in works for long time.

LazyZzzzzzz

As it it has not been paused back in 2016, 2019 , every time it gets paused and then resumed later , hypocrites

Curious to understand: How are the logistics implemented to stop access? Does India have dams?

okokokre

Hasn't IWT already been suspended and implemented again before?

srimaran_srivallabha

lol. Until the govt of day does not build bridge , there is no significant achievement gained here. There was security lapses by central and military intelligence and heads should be rolled

India rejected an international ruling on hydroelectric projects related to the Indus Waters Treaty, asserting that it violates India's sovereign rights amid ongoing security threats.

India-Pakistan Relations and Indus Waters Treaty Dispute

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