Pakistan Warns India’s Water Diversion Plans Could Threaten Regional Stability

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – Pakistan has strongly opposed India’s reported efforts to construct additional water infrastructure on the River Chenab, warning that any attempt to alter or divert water flows allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) could have serious consequences for regional peace and stability.

The warning comes after India announced its intention to keep the historic Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. Pakistan maintains that the treaty, brokered by the World Bank, is a binding international agreement that contains no provision allowing either party to suspend it unilaterally.

In a statement, Pakistan emphasized that water security is directly linked to national security, describing the Indus Basin as the lifeline of more than 240 million people. Officials reiterated that any effort to stop, divert, or interfere with Pakistan’s lawful share of water would be viewed as a grave violation of international commitments.

Islamabad has expressed particular concern over India’s proposed Chenab–Beas Link Tunnel project, estimated at Rs 2,352 crore, which aims to transfer water from the Chenab basin to the Beas River system. Pakistani authorities argue that such a move would violate the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, under which the Western Rivers, including the Chenab, are reserved primarily for Pakistan’s use.

According to Pakistani officials, India has also accelerated work on hydropower projects and sediment-management measures on rivers covered by the treaty, raising concerns about New Delhi’s ability to exercise greater control over downstream water flows in the future.

The Indus River system supports more than 90 percent of Pakistan’s food production, while agriculture remains a key pillar of the national economy. Experts warn that any disruption in water availability could affect food security, employment, industrial output, and overall economic stability.

In response, Pakistan is preparing a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening domestic water security. The plan includes fast-tracking several storage projects on the Chenab River, accelerating construction of major dams such as Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand, expanding canal infrastructure, reducing water losses through canal lining, and promoting drought-resistant crops in vulnerable regions.

Officials have also called for increased investment in water and hydropower infrastructure through both federal and provincial development budgets, arguing that long-term resilience is essential to counter any potential upstream pressures.

Pakistan has stated that it will continue to pursue diplomatic and legal avenues to safeguard its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty while enhancing its own water management capacity. The government maintains that protecting the country’s water resources remains a matter of national survival and a top strategic priority.