Islamabad: In response to India’s recent actions regarding the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) has declared that any move by India to divert water legally entitled to Pakistan will be deemed an “act of war”. This statement follows India’s suspension of the longstanding water-sharing treaty and additional measures taken after a lethal attack in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
The attack on tourists, which resulted in 26 casualties, has been attributed to Pakistan by the Indian government. Pakistan has denied these accusations, labeling them a “false flag operation”.
The NSC’s warning emphasized that any attempt to obstruct or redirect water flows, as specified in the treaty, will meet with full-scale retaliation. The committee accused India of disregarding international agreements and obligations.
Pakistan has rejected India’s action to hold the Indus Water Treaty in suspension, noting that the treaty is a binding agreement facilitated by the World Bank, lacking provisions for unilateral suspension.
The NSC further stated that Pakistan might hold all bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement, in suspension until India ceases its alleged activities of promoting terrorism, transnational killings, and non-compliance with international laws regarding Kashmir.
In immediate measures, Pakistan has closed the Wagah Border Post, halting all cross-border transit from India, with exceptions for those already possessing valid endorsements. Additionally, Pakistan has suspended visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Indian nationals, except for Sikh pilgrims, and declared certain Indian diplomats in Islamabad persona non grata.
The NSC also announced the reduction of the Indian High Commission’s presence in Islamabad and the closure of Pakistan’s airspace to Indian airlines. All trade with India has been suspended.
The NSC reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to defend its sovereignty, citing a past incident in February 2019 as an example of its capability to respond to provocations.
Pakistan’s actions come as a counter to India’s “decisive response to cross-border terrorism” and follow the shutdown of the Integrated Check Post Attari and a deadline for Pakistanis in India to exit by May 2025. The Indus Water Treaty divides control of the Indus basin’s rivers between the two nations, with each having authority over three rivers.