India Tightens Grip: Chenab River Water Stopped at Baglihar After Indus Treaty Suspension

A Strategic Water Blockade
India escalated its response to Pakistan’s role in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by halting the Chenab River’s flow through the Baglihar Dam in Jammu’s Ramban district. This move, following the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, aims to choke Pakistan’s water supply, critical for its Punjab agricultural heartland. The decision, authorized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a new phase in India’s punitive strategy, leveraging its control over western rivers to pressure Pakistan amid ongoing ceasefire violations and global condemnation of its terror links.

Impact on Pakistan’s Lifeline
The Chenab, one of three rivers allocated to Pakistan under the Indus treaty, irrigates 70% of Punjab’s farmland, contributing 25% to Pakistan’s GDP. Satellite imagery confirms reduced water levels near Sialkot, with the Marala Headworks receiving negligible flow. Pakistan’s irrigation systems, already strained by mismanagement, face collapse, threatening crops like wheat and rice. PoK Prime Minister Anwarul Haq’s call to stockpile food reflects panic, as urban centers like Lahore brace for shortages. Pakistan’s labeling of the water stoppage as “an act of war” has found little international sympathy, with only China offering rhetorical support.

India’s Hydro-Diplomatic Offensive
India’s control over the Chenab, enabled by the 450 MW Baglihar Dam, showcases its hydro-diplomatic leverage. Plans to restrict Jhelum River flows via the Kishanganga Dam are underway, further tightening the screws. The National Investigation Agency’s evidence linking the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan’s ISI has justified India’s actions, backed by Home Minister Amit Shah’s vow to dismantle terror networks. India’s briefing of G20 nations and the Taliban has isolated Pakistan, while its FATF push targets Pakistan’s terror financing.

Global and Regional Fallout
The UN and U.S. urge de-escalation, but India’s calibrated measures—avoiding outright war—have shifted the narrative. Pakistan’s faltering economy, with a 3,500-point stock market crash, and low military morale amplify its vulnerability. As Pakistan “craves every drop,” India’s water strategy underscores its resolve to counter terrorism, reshaping South Asian geopolitics while risking humanitarian fallout if tensions spiral unchecked.