ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday voiced concern over India’s ongoing reservoir expansion and water diversion projects on the Indus River system, warning that the initiatives could alter natural river flows and pose risks to regional stability and water security.
Addressing a conference on transboundary water resources in Brussels via video link, Dar said Pakistan’s concerns were based not only on Indian statements but also on developments taking place across rivers governed by the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
“It is important to underscore that our concerns are not merely based on Indian statements,” Dar said, adding that India had undertaken multiple projects involving reservoirs, expansions of existing infrastructure and water diversion schemes on the Indus, Chenab and Ravi rivers.
According to Dar, at least 17 projects are under development or planned, which he said could significantly alter the overall river system and provide India with what he described as tools for “hydro-hegemony.”
The remarks come amid continuing tensions over the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a World Bank-brokered agreement governing the distribution and use of waters from six rivers shared by the two countries.
Pakistan maintains that the treaty remains legally binding and cannot be suspended unilaterally. Islamabad has repeatedly stated that any attempt to alter the natural flow of transboundary rivers would be viewed as a serious threat to national interests.
India announced in May 2025 that it was suspending its participation in the treaty after accusing Pakistan of supporting a deadly attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan rejected the allegations and denied any involvement.
Speaking at the conference, Dar said the Indus Waters Treaty had survived multiple wars and periods of political tension, demonstrating the importance of legal frameworks in managing shared water resources.
He noted that Pakistan had consistently pursued its concerns through international mechanisms and respected legal decisions, even when outcomes did not fully align with its expectations.
“Responsible states act within established legal frameworks rather than abandoning them,” he said.
Describing rivers as lifelines with historical, cultural and economic significance, Dar warned against using water as a political tool.
“Water must never be viewed as an instrument of coercion,” he said, calling for transboundary water governance to be guided by cooperation, dialogue and adherence to international law.
The deputy prime minister said the issue extended beyond South Asia and highlighted the broader importance of respecting treaty obligations for regional peace and prosperity.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s position, Dar said Islamabad remained committed to resolving disputes through diplomacy, dialogue and international legal channels.
“Lasting solutions can only emerge through cooperation and respect for mutually agreed obligations,” he said.
Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, noting that despite contributing less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the country remains among the nations most exposed to climate-related risks and water insecurity.