Pakistan warns of war if India attempts to block water flows

Pakistan warned of possible military action against India if New Delhi attempts to disrupt river water supplies, escalating tensions over the suspended Indus Waters Treaty between the two nuclear rivals.

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Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad could go to war with India if the country’s water security comes under serious threat amid growing tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty.

Speaking to ARY News, Khawaja Asif said water was directly linked to Pakistan’s national security and any aggressive attempt to block river flows would trigger a strong response.

“The moment we feel that our national security, and water is part of our national security, is being threatened, we will go to war against India,” the defence minister said.

The warning comes after India suspended the 66-year-old Indus Waters Treaty following a deadly attack in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of involvement in cross-border terrorism, allegations Islamabad has strongly denied.

Indian officials have since taken a tough stance on the agreement. India’s Water Resources Minister CR Patil recently stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had ordered authorities to ensure that “not a single drop of water” flows into Pakistan.

The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the sharing of six rivers between the two countries. Under the agreement, Pakistan receives water from the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — which support agriculture, drinking water supplies and hydropower generation across the country.

Experts warn that any disruption in water flows could severely impact Pakistan’s farming sector and millions of livelihoods dependent on the Indus river system.

Pakistan has also raised the matter at the United Nations, accusing India of attempting to establish “hydro-hegemony” through multiple projects on shared rivers.

Officials in Islamabad fear India could manipulate water flows during critical farming seasons, potentially causing drought-like conditions or sudden flooding in vulnerable areas.

The latest developments have further intensified already strained relations between the two neighbouring countries following last year’s military tensions and diplomatic standoff.