Context:
At the first UN Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, India strongly rebutted Pakistan’s claims over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), asserting that cross-border terrorism from Pakistan is the real impediment to the treaty’s implementation.
India’s Arguments at the UN Forum
- Changed circumstances since the signing of the treaty in 1960 justify a reassessment:
- Technological advancements.
- Demographic pressures.
- Climate change.
- Persistent cross-border terrorism.
- The treaty’s preamble emphasized “goodwill and friendship,” but:
- “Unrelenting terrorism from Pakistan interferes with its provisions.”
Background: India’s Suspension of the IWT
- India suspended the IWT on April 22, 2025, following the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people.
- Suspension part of broader punitive measures against Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor.
- Signed in 1960 by India, Pakistan, and the World Bank.
- Governs the distribution of the Indus river system waters.
- Considered one of the most successful transboundary water-sharing agreements.
Significance of the UN Glacier Conference
- Aimed at highlighting the role of glaciers in water security and ecological balance.
- Attended by 2,500 delegates from 80 countries and 70 international organizations.
- India used the platform to integrate climate resilience with geopolitical accountability.
TH
