India Suspends Indus Water Treaty: Impact and Strategic Options Explained

Following the April 23, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, demanding that Islamabad permanently cease support for cross-border terrorism. The treaty, signed in 1960, governs the use of the Indus River system and its tributaries, dividing the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) for India and western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) primarily for Pakistan.

Former Indus Water Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Saxena stated that India, as the upper riparian country, has many strategic options. These include halting flood data sharing, changing reservoir operations, ignoring past design objections from Pakistan, and lifting operational restrictions—actions that could critically impact Pakistan's agriculture, especially during monsoon and sowing seasons.

Reservoir flushing and filling, previously restricted to the monsoon period under the treaty, can now be conducted year-round. India may also suspend mandatory bilateral visits and proceed with new hydropower projects on western rivers without prior consent.

Though there is no direct provision to terminate the treaty, Saxena cites Article 62 of the Vienna Convention, which allows for repudiation due to fundamental changes in circumstances. Pakistan's civil and military leadership is expected to convene to strategize a response.