Newsinc24 Team India has restated that the Indus Waters Treaty will continue to remain on hold until Pakistan takes firm and irreversible action to stop backing terrorism. Speaking at a United Nations event marking World Water Day 2026, India’s Permanent Representative Harish Parvathaneni said New Delhi was compelled to take the decision following repeated provocations and the failure of bilateral engagement.“It was not my intention to comment on a bilateral issue in this forum, but I am compelled to respond as Pakistan has chosen to misuse today’s meeting,” he said, addressing the gathering themed “Water and Gender Equality.”
Parvathaneni noted that India had signed the treaty over six decades ago “in good faith and in a spirit of goodwill and friendship,” but alleged that Pakistan had undermined this understanding through wars and continued backing of terrorism.“Our patience and magnanimity did not change Pakistan’s ways. Eventually, we were compelled to announce that the Treaty will be held in abeyance until Pakistan, the global epicentre of terror, credibly and irrevocably ends its support for all forms of terrorism,” he said.He stressed that “responsibility is a two-way street,” urging Pakistan to “unconditionally abjure terrorism as an instrument of state policy” and to “uphold the sanctity of human life before talking of upholding the sanctity of treaties.”
India had placed the treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack, which was attributed to The Resistance Front, an outfit linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba.The envoy also called for revisiting the treaty in light of “fundamental changes” over the past 65 years, including advancements in dam technology, evolving clean energy needs, and climate and demographic shifts. He added that India’s efforts to initiate discussions on modifying the treaty had been repeatedly rejected by Pakistan.
Despite the strong remarks, India reaffirmed its commitment to responsible water governance and sustainable development. Parvathaneni highlighted that water remains central to achieving global development goals, even as progress on universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation continues to lag.He pointed to the Jal Jeevan Mission as one of the world’s largest initiatives aimed at providing piped drinking water to rural households, emphasising its focus on community participation and women-led village water committees.India also called for greater international cooperation on water management, stressing the need to strengthen national capacities, promote technological innovation, and enhance scientific collaboration, particularly in developing countries.Reaffirming its global commitment, India said it looks forward to engaging in upcoming international platforms, including future UN water-related forums, to advance inclusive and sustainable approaches to water governance.
