Indus Waters Treaty: Pakistan Threatens War As India Moves To Reduce River Flow

Islamabad: Pakistan's Foreign Ministry issued a veiled threat on Thursday, stating that any deliberate attempt to withhold water—essential for Pakistan's existence and development—would have "far-reaching consequences." Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi made these remarks during a weekly media briefing in response to a statement by India's Water Minister.

What did Pakistan say? 

  "Any such action would be viewed very seriously and could amount to an act of war under Article 51 of the UN Charter, " Tahir Andrabi told the media. 
A day earlier, India's Water Minister C.R. Patil had told the news agency ANI that "not a single drop of water will go to Pakistan in the coming years." Patil stated that India was "actively working" on this following "directives" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reacting to the Indian minister's statement, Andrabi said, "Any attempt to withhold or significantly reduce water—vital for the livelihoods, agriculture, and well-being of over 250 million Pakistanis—would be an extremely irresponsible act."

Why did Pakistan threaten India? 

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that this would violate established international obligations concerning "transboundary rivers and, indeed, India's own bilateral agreements with Pakistan." He said, "Pakistan categorically rejects the notion that water can be used as a political weapon or a tool of coercion." He emphasized that such action would pose a threat to regional peace and security in South Asia and beyond. He added that the responsibility for such a threat to "international peace and security" would rest "entirely on India."
Andrabi stated that Pakistan would "vigorously" defend its rights by utilizing all available diplomatic, political, legal, economic, and other measures in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. Andrabi warned, "Any deliberate attempt to withhold water essential for Pakistan's existence and development will be viewed as an extremely serious act with far-reaching consequences, as stated by Pakistan's top leadership."

What was the reaction to the increase in India's nuclear arsenal?

Regarding the latest SIPRI report on the expansion of India's nuclear arsenal, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry stated, "This comes as no surprise." They remarked, "It largely validates the concerns Pakistan has consistently raised regarding the expansion of India's nuclear stockpile," while also noting that these figures likely do not "fully reflect" the actual size of India's nuclear inventory.
The Pakistani spokesperson added that Pakistan is also aware of recent shifts in India's strategic capabilities, including "the canisterization of missile systems, the expansion of sea-based nuclear-capable submarines, and the development of long-range intercontinental ballistic missile systems capable of striking targets well beyond India's immediate borders, neighborhood, or the scope of legitimate defense requirements."