ISLAMABAD — Experts at an international seminar on Wednesday warned against unilateral actions threatening the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). They urged both India and Pakistan to preserve the landmark water-sharing agreement that has governed cross-border river flows for over six decades.
International Seminar Addresses Treaty Threats
The India Study Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organised the strategic seminar. The event was titled “Weaponisation of Water: Legal and Strategic Implications of Undermining the Indus Waters Treaty.”
The seminar brought together scholars and analysts from across the region. Participants assessed the legal and strategic consequences of any move to subvert the 1960 accord.
Discussions focused on protecting regional water governance frameworks. The experts examined how the Indus Waters Treaty supports bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and India.
Legal Liabilities and Security Risks
Participants stressed that the Indus Waters Treaty remains a cornerstone of regional water governance. The World Bank brokered the agreement in 1960, and it has successfully managed water distribution between Pakistan and India since its signing.
Experts emphasized that weaponising water resources would carry serious legal liabilities. Such unilateral actions pose escalatory risks for South Asia’s already fragile security environment.
Economic Impact on Trade and Investment
The seminar underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in maintaining regional stability. Water security remains critical for economic growth between the two nations.
Trade relations and investment flows depend on predictable water governance. The experts warned that undermining the treaty could disrupt regional economic cooperation and cross-border commerce, affecting multiple sectors of both economies.
