Pakistan reacts angrily to Amit Shah's firm stance on the Indus Waters Treaty. Bilawal Bhutto threatens war and claims rights to water from six rivers.
India-PAK: Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated again over the Indus Waters Treaty following a recent statement by Home Minister Amit Shah. On Saturday, Shah reiterated that the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty would not be reversed. This prompted a sharp response from Pakistan, with former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari issuing a threat of war against India.
Indus Waters Treaty: Water sharing agreement since 1960
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, mediated by the World Bank. Under the treaty, India gained rights to the waters of the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers, while Pakistan obtained rights to the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers. All these rivers flow from India into Pakistan.
India's b response following the Pulwama attack
A terrorist attack in the Beisan Valley of Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, shook the nation, resulting in the death of 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan-sponsored terrorism for the attack and subsequently suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. India also conducted operations against terrorist bases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and retaliated along the border.
Shah declares: Pakistan will no longer receive water
In an interview with 'The Times of India', Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the water allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty would be stopped. He said India would utilize dams to control the flow of water to Pakistan through Rajasthan, leaving Pakistan facing a water shortage.
Bilawal Bhutto's fiery speech in the Pakistani Parliament
Amit Shah's statement ignited political turmoil in Pakistan. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former Foreign Minister and head of the PPP (Pakistan Peoples Party), warned India during a parliamentary address. He stated that India had two options: either share water equitably or face Pakistan asserting its claim to the water of all six rivers.
Indus Waters Treaty deemed illegal
Bilawal denounced India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as illegal. He argued that it was a permanent international agreement between India and Pakistan, which could not be unilaterally suspended or terminated by India. Bilawal further stated that the threat to withhold water violated the UN Charter.
War threat reiterated
Bilawal Bhutto openly threatened war against India. He asserted that if India persisted and stopped Pakistan's water supply, Pakistan would be compelled to resort to war. He claimed that the Pakistani military would take all necessary steps to protect the nation's water sovereignty.
While using b and threatening language, Bilawal Bhutto also mentioned the importance of regional peace. He emphasized that as both nuclear powers, peace between India and Pakistan is contingent upon both countries engaging in dialogue to address issues such as terrorism.
