India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan Citing Ongoing Cross-Border Terrorism

On April 24, 2025, India formally notified Pakistan of its move to put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold with effect from the date of notification on the grounds that there was a violation of treaty provisions by Islamabad. The move comes in response to ongoing cross-border terrorism targeting Jammu and Kashmir, which India says undermines its rights under the long-standing agreement.

In a letter to her Pakistani counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza, India’s Secretary of Water Resources, Debashree Mukherjee, emphasized that adherence to treaties requires good faith—something India believes Pakistan has consistently violated.

“The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental. However, what we have witnessed is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mukherjee wrote.

Meanwhile, Panun Kashmir, an organization representing the interests of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, called on the central government to issue a travel advisory for Kashmir. The group warned that the security situation in the Valley remains volatile, especially for Hindu tourists, who they claim face significant threats amidst the unrest.

The recent terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam has been described as the worst in years, claiming 26 innocent lives. The victims, mostly tourists, were ambushed by terrorists from a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot who emerged from the pine forests near the scenic Baisaran meadows—often referred to as “mini Switzerland”—and opened fire without warning.

In return, the Indian government has pledged intense retaliation. Apart from military measures, various diplomatic and strategic moves have been made. These include suspending the Indus Waters Treaty for perpetuity, closure of the Attari border, and revocation of all visas for Pakistani citizens, including medical visas.

At an all-party meeting on Thursday, no immediate military action was announced, but leaders did not rule it out. Previous attacks in Uri and Pulwama were followed by surgical and air strikes across the Line of Control.

Speaking from Madhubani, Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, promising that every terrorist and their backers would be hunted down and punished. He affirmed that terrorism would not break India’s resolve, and justice will be pursued to the “ends of the earth.”