BRUSSELS – UNS: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has expressed serious concerns over India’s expanding reservoir and water diversion projects on the Indus River system, warning that such developments could undermine regional stability and water security.
Speaking via video link at a conference on trans-boundary water resources in Brussels, Dar said Pakistan’s concerns stem from both India’s statements and its actions on rivers governed by the Indus Waters Treaty.
According to Dar, India has undertaken multiple projects, including the construction of reservoirs, expansion of existing facilities, and water diversion schemes on the Indus, Chenab and Ravi rivers. He claimed that at least 17 projects could significantly alter the natural flow of the river system and provide India with what he described as tools for “hydro-hegemony.”
The deputy prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s position that the Indus Waters Treaty remains legally binding and cannot be suspended unilaterally. He noted that the agreement, signed in 1960, has survived several conflicts and continues to serve as a key framework for managing shared water resources.
Dar stressed that Pakistan has consistently pursued its concerns through diplomatic and legal channels, respecting international mechanisms even when outcomes did not fully align with its expectations.
He emphasized that responsible states should honor treaty commitments rather than abandon established legal frameworks.
Describing rivers as lifelines with historical, cultural and economic importance, Dar warned against using water as a political tool.
“Water must never be viewed as an instrument of coercion,” he said, calling for greater cooperation, dialogue and adherence to international law in managing transboundary water resources.
He further argued that respect for international agreements is not only a regional concern but a global necessity for ensuring peace, stability and sustainable development.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy, Dar said lasting solutions to water disputes can only be achieved through constructive engagement, mutual respect and compliance with agreed international obligations.
