Whenever a foreign dignitary visits Pakistan, the host leadership often uses the platform to air its grievances regarding water sharing with India. A similar scenario unfolded when Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Pakistan for a three-day official visit. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif hosted the visiting leader and, during their formal discussions, not only brought up the long-standing Kashmir dispute but also raised concerns over the status of the Indus Water Treaty, which has faced severe restrictions imposed by New Delhi.
The Kashmir Discussion and International Resolutions
During the meetings held over the course of the three-day visit, Shahbaz Sharif reiterated his administration's stance on the Kashmir conflict. He stated that Pakistan remains committed to resolving the issue in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the local population. In contrast, India has consistently maintained since 1972 that the Simla Agreement emphasizes bilateral negotiations, effectively rendering internationalization efforts through UN resolutions redundant and inapplicable.
Concerns Over the Suspension of the Water Treaty
Sharif further drew attention to the grave concerns Islamabad holds regarding the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, a step taken by India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. Expressing his administration's anxiety to Muizzu, the Pakistani leader argued that internationally binding agreements must be respected and that shared water resources should not be leveraged as an instrument of pressure. He warned that any violation of this framework would be treated as an aggressive act by his government.
The Hague Ruling and India's Firm Rejection
The Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague issued a ruling on August 31 and September 2026, stating that India does not possess the legal right to unilaterally terminate or suspend the treaty, and that the 1960 pact remains fully effective. However, New Delhi outright rejected this ruling, asserting that the tribunal lacks the jurisdiction to interfere with or dictate sovereign decisions made by the Indian government.
Blood and Water Cannot Flow Together
Following the terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025, India decided to suspend the water-sharing pact. The official position of New Delhi is that the treaty will remain frozen until cross-border terrorism completely ceases, encapsulated by the firm stance that blood and water cannot flow together. In line with this policy, India has formulated concrete plans to accelerate hydroelectric projects and restrict the flow of water directed toward Pakistan.
Historical Background of the 1960 Treaty
The Indus Waters Treaty is a historic water-distribution pact brokered by the World Bank between India and Pakistan. The agreement was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960, by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan. The treaty governs the usage of six rivers in the Indus basin.
Under this arrangement, the eastern rivers—Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej—were allocated primarily for India's use, granting the country rights to most of their waters. Meanwhile, the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—were allocated largely to Pakistan. However, India was granted certain limited rights for run-of-the-river hydroelectric power generation on the western rivers, a provision that continues to be a point of diplomatic friction.
