India Halts Indus Waters Treaty Until Pakistan Ends Cross-Border Terrorism Support
The Government of India has announced that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably stops supporting cross-border terrorism. The statement was made by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday, July 3, 2026, in response to a recent international conference in Pakistan that called for the treaty's restoration.
“The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross border terrorism,” Mr. Jaiswal said at a media briefing.
The decision to put the treaty in abeyance was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security a day after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians and injured many others. That attack led to India launching strikes on terror targets inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor.
Earlier this week, Pakistan organised a conference on the Indus and water sharing, where its Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar referred to the IWT as vital for “regional peace, stability and cooperation”.
Mr. Jaiswal had previously stated on May 13, 2025, that the treaty was concluded in a spirit of goodwill and friendship, but Pakistan had held those principles in abeyance through its promotion of cross-border terrorism for decades. He also noted that climate change, demographic shifts, and technological changes have created new realities on the ground.
On May 22, 2025, Mr. Jaiswal had expressed India's willingness to discuss with Pakistan the modality to get custody of “noted terrorists whose list was provided to Pakistan some years ago.” Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks, he said: “Water and blood cannot flow together.”
The Indian government’s stance on the treaty has been part of a broader intensified rhetoric against Pakistan, particularly in light of recent protests and a police crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
