Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended despite ceasefire between Pakistan and India, sources say

NEW DELHI/KARACHI: A key water-sharing pact between India and Pakistan remains suspended, four government sources told Reuters, despite the countries reaching a ceasefire agreement on Saturday after days of deadly fighting.

The Indus Waters Treaty, mediated by the World Bank in 1960, regulates the division of water from the Indus River and its tributaries between the South Asian nations.

India pulled out of it last month after a deadly attack targeting Hindu tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Pakistan denied involvement in the violence and had said it was preparing international legal action over the suspension of the treaty, which ensures water for 80% of its farms.

“Indus Waters Treaty was not really a part of (ceasefire) discussions,” said a source from Pakistan’s water ministry.

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An Indian government source also told Reuters there was “no change in stand” on the treaty.

There was no immediate response from India’s foreign ministry on the matter, or from officials at Pakistan’s water ministry and the information minister.

The pact was one of many tit-for-tat measures taken by the South Asian nations after the IIOJK attack, including closure of land borders, suspension of trade, and a pause on issuance of almost all categories of visas to each other’s citizens.

Two sources from the Indian government told Reuters that all measures taken against Pakistan, including on trade and visas, would remain in place despite the pause in violence between the countries.

India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.