Washington: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has called on India to adhere to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), asserting that India’s recent actions are undermining a longstanding international agreement critical to regional stability. The ambassador’s remarks follow an article by India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, which described the treaty as unfairly advantageous to Pakistan.

According to Press Information Department, the IWT, established on September 19, 1960, with the facilitation of the World Bank, delineates water rights between the two nations over the Indus River System. The treaty allocates the use of three Eastern Rivers to India, while Pakistan’s rights over three Western Rivers are safeguarded under a comprehensive legal framework. Despite India’s claims, Pakistan’s use of dispute mechanisms within the treaty is portrayed as a rightful exercise rather than obstruction.

The discourse between the ambassadors reflects ongoing tensions since India’s unilateral decision in April 2025 to hold the treaty “in abeyance.” Pakistan argues that this action lacks legal grounding and contravenes the treaty’s terms, which do not allow unilateral suspension or termination. The Court of Arbitration has upheld the treaty’s validity, emphasizing adherence to its conditions, particularly regarding hydroelectric projects.

Pakistan stresses the treaty’s importance in maintaining regional peace, urging India to rescind its unilateral measures and engage with the treaty’s established mechanisms. The issue, according to Pakistan, is not merely political but vital to the water security and livelihoods of millions in Pakistan.