India To Keep Indus Waters Treaty Suspended Until Pakistan Ends Cross-Border Terrorism: MEA

India has stated unequivocally that unless Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism, the Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended. Pakistan's actions regarding terror operations against India will be the only determinant of any future engagement on the pact, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The suspension coincides with increased tensions after the terror assault in Pahalgam and India's forceful Operation Sindoor response.

India has asserted that while it remains committed to its legal and diplomatic responsibilities, the treaty cannot function normally under the threat of persistent terrorism. The MEA emphasized that peace and cooperation are only possible when there is a complete and verifiable halt to cross-border terror operations emanating from Pakistani soil.

According to a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) resolution on April 23, India has chosen to maintain the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan formally withdraws its support for cross-border terrorism. Climate change, demographic changes, and technology improvements have changed the dynamics and created new realities on the ground, stressed MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Jaiswal noted that although the preamble of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty stated that it was signed with brotherhood and goodwill, Pakistan has consistently betrayed these ideals by aiding cross-border terrorism. India has made a major diplomatic move by formally suspending the pact, a historic deal mediated by the World Bank.

As part of India's larger diplomatic efforts against Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously said that "water and blood can't flow together" in reference to the treaty's suspension. "Terror and trade cannot go together, water and blood cannot flow together," he continued, highlighting India's unwavering position against Pakistan's backing of terrorism.