Pakistan urges UN to act on Indian violations of Indus Waters Treaty

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) — Pakistan has formally called on the United Nations Security Council to address India’s violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that recent actions by New Delhi could undermine Pakistan’s water security and increase regional tensions.

A letter from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was delivered to the president of the Security Council by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

The communication outlined Islamabad’s concerns regarding breaches of the treaty and urged the international body to take notice of the issue.

According to the letter, India’s actions pose serious risks to Pakistan’s water security, regional stability and international peace. Dar specifically cited two infrastructure projects linked to the Chenab River system, saying that they are intended to alter natural water flows in violation of treaty provisions.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan believes the projects represent an attempt to modify the flow and utilization of western rivers allocated primarily to Pakistan under the treaty, effectively using water as a strategic pressure tool.

Islamabad warned that such measures could have significant consequences for food security, economic stability and peace in South Asia.

Pakistan also urged the Security Council to hold India accountable and intervene in a deteriorating situation. During his briefing to the Council, the ambassador also highlighted broader regional concerns, including the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir and India’s failure to comply with relevant U.N. resolutions.

Dar had previously written to the Security Council in April, marking one year since what Pakistan called India’s unilateral suspension of treaty obligations. He warned at the time of the potential humanitarian and security implications of the move.

More recently, Dar claimed that at least 17 Indian projects within the Indus basin could significantly expand New Delhi’s influence over regional water flows.

Brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty governs water-sharing arrangements between India and Pakistan. Under the agreement, the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej — were allocated to India, while the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — were largely reserved for Pakistan.

The treaty has long been considered one of the most enduring agreements between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, surviving multiple wars and periods of diplomatic strain. However, tensions intensified after India announced the suspension of certain treaty obligations in 2025.

Pakistan also referenced recent decisions by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which it said affirmed that India cannot unilaterally suspend the treaty and reiterated limits on New Delhi’s authority over water flows on the western rivers. The rulings were linked to disputes involving the Ratle and Kishanganga hydropower projects in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Further concerns emerged following Indian media reports that construction of the proposed Link-3 project in Himachal Pradesh is scheduled to begin Aug. 1. The project aims to divert surplus water from the Chenab River to the Beas basin at an estimated cost of 26.2 billion Indian rupees.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the project was a serious violation of the Indus Waters Treaty and international law, alleging that India intends to divert approximately 1.9 million acre-feet of water annually from the Chenab River to the Beas basin.

He also expressed concern over a planned silt-flushing operation at the Salal Dam in the Reasi district of Indian-administered Kashmir, warning that it could provide India with a level of control over water flows that exceeds limits established under existing agreements.