India Withholds Indus From Pakistan, Reaffirms Post-Pahalgam Counterterror Policy
India on Thursday restated that Pakistan will not receive water from rivers over which India has exclusive rights, reinforcing a suite of measures imposed after the April 22 terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. The announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks a significant escalation in India's approach to cross-border terrorism and bilateral relations with Pakistan.
Speaking at a public event in Rajasthan, he stated that Pakistan would pay a heavy price for every terror strike, stressing that both the Pakistani military and economy would bear the consequences. His remarks follow India’s decision last month to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, a six-decade-old water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank in 1960.
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| Image Source: PM on X |
The treaty governs access to six rivers in the Indus basin and is considered one of the most enduring agreements between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Under the pact, Pakistan relies on rivers originating in India for nearly 80% of its agricultural water needs. India’s move to halt water sharing applies only to the rivers to which it holds rights under the treaty, as reaffirmed by India’s recent diplomatic clarifications.
The decision to suspend the treaty came in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which India attributed to Pakistan-backed militants — a claim Islamabad has denied. The escalation triggered one of the worst military standoffs between India and Pakistan in nearly 30 years, culminating in a ceasefire agreement on May 10.
The ceasefire is holding, and both nations have reportedly repositioned some troops, but India has underlined that any future attacks would trigger decisive action. The tough posture echoes recent remarks made at Raisina Tokyo 2025 and similar high-level forums, where India’s message on zero tolerance was reiterated.
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and India’s stated willingness to strike across borders represent a clear strategic shift — from strategic restraint to proactive deterrence. The long-standing hostilities between India and Pakistan have led to three wars since 1947, with water and terror now emerging as central fault lines in the relationship.
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