Pakistan has warned India that suspending the Indus Waters Treaty risks setting a “dangerous precedent” for downstream nations, as Karachi faces a severe water crisis with nearly 70% of the city enduring shortages.

China has backed Pakistan’s stance, the US has urged balance, and India maintains Kashmir is an internal matter, raising the potential for wider geopolitical escalation.

Pakistan’s climate minister Musadik Malik accused India of “politicising shared water resources” by placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. He argued that no nation should be allowed to use water as a weapon, stressing that unilateral suspension of international agreements undermines global cooperation.

Malik warned that India’s move could embolden upstream countries worldwide to restrict access to shared rivers, threatening vulnerable downstream states. He urged India to respect the 1960 treaty and honour international mediation mechanisms, framing water access as a fundamental human right.

The warning comes as Karachi grapples with a worsening crisis. Nearly 70% of the city is experiencing prolonged water shortages, forcing residents to rely on costly private tankers.

The situation has been exacerbated by soaring summer temperatures and increased demand during Eid-ul-Adha. Local reports highlight that the shortages are not only straining households but also disrupting businesses and public services, intensifying frustration among citizens.

Pakistan has linked the crisis to broader climate challenges. Malik emphasised that Pakistan is among the nations most severely affected by global warming, with recurrent floods and extreme weather damaging infrastructure and agricultural lands.

He noted that Pakistan and Tajikistan have each lost around 1,000 glaciers due to rising temperatures, underscoring the urgent need for regional cooperation on glacial melt and ecosystem preservation. He called for stronger cross-border coordination to monitor shrinking glaciers and protect shared ecosystems, while also engaging in wildlife conservation initiatives.

The geopolitical stakes are rising. China has openly backed Pakistan’s position, framing India’s suspension of the treaty as destabilising for regional water security. The United States, while avoiding direct criticism, has urged both sides to maintain balance and avoid escalation.

India, however, has reiterated that Kashmir remains an internal matter and has linked its suspension of the treaty to security concerns following cross-border terrorism. New Delhi argues that cooperation cannot coexist with aggression, and its stance reflects a broader recalibration of water diplomacy as part of national security strategy.

Pakistan’s leadership has described India’s actions as “water aggression,” warning that depriving downstream nations of their lawful rights risks destabilising regional peace. President Asif Ali Zardari has gone further, labelling India’s suspension as “hydro-terrorism” and demanding restoration of the treaty.

Islamabad has cautioned that any obstruction of water flows allocated under the treaty could be considered an act of war, signalling the seriousness with which it views the issue.

The crisis in Karachi illustrates the human cost of these disputes. With millions struggling to access clean water, the debate over the Indus Waters Treaty has moved beyond diplomatic rhetoric to immediate humanitarian concerns.

Pakistan’s appeal for international support highlights the intersection of climate vulnerability, resource scarcity, and geopolitical rivalry. India’s position, meanwhile, underscores its determination to align water-sharing with security imperatives, even as global powers call for restraint.

Curated By IDN