India Rebukes Pakistan’s Allegations on Indus Water Treaty at UN Security Council, Citing Terrorism and Disinformation
KD NEWS SERVICES – SRINAGAR, May 24 – In a forceful rejoinder at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India vehemently dismissed Pakistan’s accusations regarding the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), pointing fingers at Islamabad for disseminating disinformation and undermining the treaty’s spirit through its persistent support for cross-border terrorism. The exchange occurred during an Arria Formula Meeting focused on the critical issue of "Protecting Water in Armed Conflict – Protecting Civilian Lives," underscoring the growing international concern over the intersection of water resources and armed conflict.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, delivered a pointed statement, reaffirming India’s commitment to responsible water management under the IWT, a landmark agreement signed 65 years ago. He underscored the treaty’s origins in "goodwill and friendship," highlighting India’s unwavering adherence to its terms despite enduring considerable provocation from Pakistan. Harish emphasized India’s consistent role as a responsible upper riparian state, diligently fulfilling its obligations under the treaty.
However, Harish’s address swiftly transitioned into a sharp critique of Pakistan’s conduct, accusing Islamabad of violating the very essence of the IWT by engaging in terrorism and initiating wars against India. "Pakistan has violated the spirit of the treaty by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on India," Harish declared. He provided a stark reminder of the human cost of this prolonged conflict, stating that "in the last four decades, more than 20,000 Indian lives have been lost in terror attacks," directly linking these acts of violence to Pakistan’s policies.
The Indian envoy further highlighted a recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam, labeling it a "dastardly" instance of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism aimed at destabilizing India and jeopardizing the safety of civilians. This specific incident served to illustrate the broader context of Pakistan’s alleged use of terrorism as a tool to undermine regional stability. By citing such examples, India sought to underscore the severity of the security threat posed by Pakistan’s actions and their direct impact on innocent lives.
Expanding on the theme of Pakistan’s disruptive behavior, Harish condemned Islamabad’s state-sponsored terrorism, obstructionist tactics during treaty negotiations, and the propagation of false narratives. He argued that these actions collectively jeopardize peace, religious harmony, and economic progress within the region. “Pakistan’s state-sponsored cross-border terrorism in India seeks to hold hostage the lives of civilians, religious harmony, and economic prosperity,” Harish asserted, emphasizing the wider implications of Pakistan’s actions beyond the immediate context of the IWT.
Harish concluded by highlighting India’s "extraordinary patience and magnanimity" in the face of persistent hostility from Pakistan. This assertion aimed to portray India as a responsible actor striving to uphold the IWT despite facing significant challenges and provocations. The statement serves as a call for international recognition of India’s commitment to peaceful resolution and responsible water management, contrasting it with Pakistan’s alleged destabilizing actions. The backdrop of the UNSC meeting further amplifies the significance of these accusations, placing them within the context of growing international awareness of water-related conflicts and the imperative to protect civilian lives amidst armed conflict. The IWT, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, is often held up as a rare example of cooperation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, despite a long history of political and military tensions. This latest exchange underscores the fragility of this cooperation and the ongoing challenges in maintaining peaceful relations in the region.