Pakistan has formally approached the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), urging it to take notice of what it describes as India’s violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and warning that New Delhi’s actions could threaten Pakistan’s water security and regional stability.
According to officials, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conveyed Pakistan’s concerns in a letter submitted to the president of the UNSC through Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.
The letter warned that India’s recent actions pose serious risks to Pakistan’s water security, regional peace and international stability. It specifically highlighted two projects linked to the Chenab River system, alleging that they are intended to alter natural water flows in breach of treaty obligations.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar told the Security Council that Pakistan viewed the projects as an attempt to unlawfully modify the flow and use of the western rivers allocated largely to Pakistan under the treaty. He said such measures could effectively turn water into a tool of strategic pressure, with potentially severe consequences for food security, economic stability and regional peace.
Pakistan also called on the Security Council to hold India accountable and intervene in what it described as a deteriorating situation. The ambassador additionally briefed the Council on broader security concerns in South Asia, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and India’s alleged failure to implement relevant UN resolutions.
The latest communication follows a letter sent by Dar to the Security Council in April, marking one year since India’s unilateral suspension of certain treaty obligations. In that correspondence, he warned of the humanitarian and security implications of the move and claimed that at least 17 Indian projects on the Indus basin could significantly increase New Delhi’s influence over regional water flows.
Brokered by the World Bank in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty regulates water-sharing arrangements between Pakistan and India. Under the agreement, the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej — were allocated to India, while the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — were largely reserved for Pakistan.
The treaty has long been regarded as one of the most enduring examples of cooperation between the two countries, surviving decades of conflict and diplomatic tensions. However, relations over water issues have come under renewed strain since India’s decision to suspend certain treaty obligations in 2025.
Pakistan has also cited rulings by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which it says reaffirmed that India cannot unilaterally suspend the treaty and underscored limits on New Delhi’s ability to regulate water flows on the western rivers. The rulings were issued in connection with disputes surrounding the Ratle and Kishanganga hydropower projects in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has expressed concern over reports that construction on the proposed Link-3 project in Himachal Pradesh is expected to begin on August 1. The project aims to divert surplus water from the Chenab River to the Beas basin at an estimated cost of 26.2 billion Indian rupees.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described the project as a serious violation of the Indus Waters Treaty and international law, alleging that it would divert around 1.9 million acre-feet of water annually from the Chenab.
He also raised concerns over a planned silt-flushing operation at the Salal Dam in Indian-administered Kashmir, warning that it could provide India with a degree of control over water flows beyond what is permitted under existing agreements.
