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Pakistan Signals Willingness to Discuss Treaty Concerns

New Delhi: Following India's suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, Pakistan has indicated a willingness to address India's longstanding concerns regarding the treaty, according to sources.

Syed Ali Murtaza, Pakistan's Water Resources Secretary, has acknowledged receipt of India's formal notification regarding the treaty's suspension.

In his correspondence with Indian counterpart Debashree Mukherjee, Murtaza expressed Pakistan's openness to discuss the specific issues raised by India.

He also challenged the legality of India's actions, noting that the treaty lacks an exit clause.

Despite this, the Indian government remains resolute in its stance.

Officials from the Jal Shakti Ministry declined to comment officially, but sources suggest that India's position is unlikely to shift given the current situation.

The decision to suspend the treaty was primarily driven by ongoing cross-border terrorism affecting Jammu and Kashmir.

In a letter dated April 24, Mukherjee informed Murtaza that Pakistan's refusal to engage in treaty negotiations and its continued support for terrorism constituted a violation of the treaty.

Notably, Pakistan's recent appeal, framed as a request to reconsider the suspension due to the reliance of millions on regulated waters, coincided with India's flushing and desilting activities at the Baglihar and Salal hydropower projects on the Chenab River.

While Murtaza's letter indicates a softening of Pakistan's position, the overall tone remains confrontational, with Islamabad labeling India's actions as "unilateral and illegal."

Indian officials argue that the principle of "change of circumstances," highlighted by persistent terrorism and climate change, justifies a reevaluation of the treaty.

India had previously issued notices to Pakistan in January 2023 and September 2024.

The Indus Waters Treaty, facilitated by the World Bank, has regulated the distribution and utilization of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan since 1960.

The Indus River system includes the main river, the Indus, along with its tributaries. The eastern rivers are the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, while the western rivers consist of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

This river system's water is vital for both nations.