ISLAMABAD: During an international seminar on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) held in Islamabad, Russian expert Dr. Roxolana Zigon expressed severe concerns over India’s stance on water management.
She emphasized that maintaining the treaty is vital for regional peace and warned that India’s unilateral policies undermine international trust.
Dr. Zigon noted that building dams in the upper riparian areas could escalate regional instability and that threats to deprive Pakistan of water violate international law.
Given that over 90% of Pakistan’s agriculture relies on these rivers, she stated that India could severely damage Pakistan’s agricultural sector by altering water flows, effectively attempting to weaponize water.
Highlighting the IWT as one of the world’s most successful water agreements, she reminded the audience that it grants India rights to the eastern rivers and Pakistan rights to the western rivers, with the Permanent Indus Commission serving as the essential forum for dispute resolution.
Chinese Expert Equates Water Threats to War Crimes
Dr. Victor Gao, representing the Center for China and Globalization, stated that India’s threats to block Pakistan’s water supply amount to war crimes.
Addressing Indian leadership’s rhetoric—including Prime Minister Modi’s vow not to let a single drop of water flow into Pakistan—Dr. Gao declared on an Indian television channel that such actions violate international law and constitute a crime against humanity.
He urged India to abide by the principle of reciprocity (“do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself”) and criticized New Delhi for violating democratic and humanitarian values.
Pakistani General Warns of National Security Risks
Lieutenant General (Retd) Amir Riaz, former President of the National Defense University, stated that any attempt to seize Pakistan’s share of water is a direct assault on its vital national interests.
He observed that foundational principles of regional agreements are being systematically dismantled.
General Riaz emphasized that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty safeguards the food security of millions and sustains Pakistan’s agriculture and economy. Consequently, any move by India to stop the water flow constitutes a grave threat to Pakistan’s national security and a severe violation of international law.
