Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised strong objections to India’s decision to place the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance while addressing the United Nations General Debate on Friday. He accused India of violating both the provisions of the treaty and international law. However, Sharif did not acknowledge any steps taken by Islamabad to address terrorism originating from its own territory, a central concern cited by India for its decision.

DISPUTE OVER INDUS WATER TREATY ABEYANCE

During his speech at the UN, Shehbaz Sharif asserted Pakistan’s position on the Indus Waters issue. He stated, “India’s unilateral and illegal attempt to hold the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance defies the provisions of the treaty itself as well as the norms of international law. Pakistan has made it abundantly clear that we will defend the inseparable right of our people on these waters. To us, any violation of the treaty represents an act of war,” Sharif said.

Despite these claims, he did not mention Pakistan’s efforts to counter cross-border terrorism—a demand India has repeatedly raised as a precondition for reinstating the treaty’s provisions. Indian officials have described Pakistan’s approach to the treaty as a “desperate attempt” to avoid accountability for terrorism.

KASHMIR ISSUE RAISED AT UN

In addition to the water dispute, Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir during his UN address. He said, “I wish to assure Kashmiri people that I stand with them, Pakistan stands with them, and one day soon India’s tyranny in Kashmir will come to a halt,” directly addressing the people of Kashmir. This statement further underscores the complexity of India-Pakistan relations, as the Kashmir dispute and cross-border terrorism remain key points of contention alongside the water-sharing arrangements under the Indus Waters Treaty.

INDIA’S POSITION AND RESPONSE

India placed the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance as a counter-measure following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed. The Indian government linked the abeyance directly to Pakistan’s continued support of cross-border terrorism. India has accused Pakistan of manipulating the treaty process to shift attention away from terrorism concerns.

Indian officials said they exercised their sovereign rights under international law and indicated that the treaty would only be reinstated if Pakistan could verifiably cease cross-border terrorism support. The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, has previously survived multiple wars and periods of high tension between the two neighbours.

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