by datta Nighut 
In a bold move, India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) of 1960, a significant step escalating tensions with Pakistan. This decision follows a brutal terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, where seven terrorists, including four to five Pakistani nationals, targeted unarmed tourists. The attack’s visuals, revealing a religiously motivated and savage assault, have shocked the nation, prompting India to take decisive action against Pakistan’s persistent support for terrorism.
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The IWT, signed under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, allocated water from six rivers between India and Pakistan, with Pakistan receiving approximately 80% of the flow. Historians note India’s generosity in this deal, hoping for improved bilateral relations. However, Pakistan’s history of wars and terrorism, including this recent attack, has led India to reconsider its obligations. By suspending the treaty, India gains control over dams in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, enabling significant reductions in water flow to Pakistan. While completely stopping the water is unfeasible due to infrastructural limitations, India can now drastically cut Pakistan’s share, a move that will impact its agriculture and economy, especially during the upcoming summer.
India’s strategy is calculated. Suspension, rather than termination, of the Indus Water Treaty IWT provides diplomatic flexibility. Pakistan may appeal to international bodies like the United Nations or the International Court of Justice, but India is prepared with a robust defense. The suspension allows India to adjust water distribution without breaching international law, and any future negotiations could involve revising the treaty’s terms to reduce Pakistan’s share permanently. This stance is bolstered by international support, as the global community increasingly condemns Pakistan’s military-driven governance and its role in fostering terrorism.
Beyond theIndus Water Treaty IWT, India has implemented additional measures. The Attari-Wagah border checkpoint in Punjab is closed, and Pakistanis in India on visas—whether for study or other purposes—have been given 48 hours to leave. Indian defense and naval advisors are being recalled from Islamabad, and Pakistan’s High Commission staff in India will be reduced to 30. These steps signal a comprehensive diplomatic and economic offensive, aimed at pressuring Pakistan’s military establishment to curb terrorism.
Pakistan’s response is predictable. Its media may portray India as overreacting, claiming the water cuts will devastate its people. However, Pakistan’s water scarcity stems from decades of mismanagement and corruption, with its military siphoning billions that could have built dams and infrastructure. India’s actions are not just punitive but strategic, aiming to force Pakistan to prioritize its citizens’ welfare over sponsoring terrorism.
India’s message to Pakistan’s people is clear: these measures target your military’s reckless policies, not you. By countering Pakistan’s propaganda, India hopes to foster regional stability. As tensions rise, the world watches closely, but India stands firm, morally and strategically justified in its pursuit of peace and security.
