Water and War: The Indus Waters Treaty and the New India-Pakistan Flashpoint

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960, has long stood as a testament to the possibility of cooperation between India and Pakistan, even amidst deep-seated hostilities. Facilitated by the World Bank, the treaty meticulously delineated water-sharing rights over the Indus River system, ensuring a relatively peaceful management of this critical resource for over six decades. However, recent geopolitical upheavals, particularly following the tragic Pahalgam attack in April 2025, have led to India’s suspension of the treaty, casting a shadow over regional stability and raising pressing questions about the future of water diplomacy in South Asia.