Indus Waters Treaty at UN Glacier Conference

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.

About the Indus Waters Treaty

• 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.

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