UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has called on the United Nations Security Council to take urgent notice of India’s violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning that unilateral actions affecting transboundary water resources undermine international agreement and threaten regional stability.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad handed over Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s letter on India’s IWT Violations to the President of the Security Council, Leonor Zalabata Torres, according to an official statement on Thursday.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with World Bank support, regulates the distribution of waters from the Indus River system between the two countries.
The treaty assigns the eastern rivers primarily for use by India and the western rivers largely for Pakistan, and includes provisions for technical cooperation, data sharing, and dispute resolution.
The letter of the Deputy Prime Minister drew the urgent attention of the UN Security Council to two Indian infrastructure projects on the Chenab River system that Pakistan contends are designed to divert water flows.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad hands DPM/FM’s Letter on India’s IWT Violations to the President of the Security Council
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— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) June 18, 2026
It argued that these projects reflect India’s intention to unilaterally alter the treaty-governed utilisation and flow of the Western Rivers, effectively weaponising water resources.
The letter warned that such actions carry serious implications for Pakistan’s water, food and economic security, while also posing risks to regional stability, international peace and security.
It urged the Security Council to take cognisance of this fragile and deteriorating situation and hold India accountable for its brazen violations.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar also briefed the President of the UN Security Council on the broader security situation in South Asia, highlighting Pakistan’s concerns regarding India’s continued non-compliance with its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions concerning the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Pakistan has in recent months stated that India’s unilateral and illegal holding “in abeyance ” of the treaty in 2025 has threatened the livelihood of millions dependent on the Indus waters.
Pakistan also declared water as its red line, saying tampering with river flows would be tantamount to an act of war. An international court of arbitration has also ruled in favour of Pakistan’s stance on the treaty.
Islamabad says India’s disregard for the treaty has affected established mechanisms of coordination and raised concerns over downstream flows, and has sown another seed of instability in the region.
