India’s weaponisation of water to inflame tensions in already hostile ties: Sherry Rehman

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman on Monday said that India’s weaponisation of water will further inflame tensions in a bilateral relationship already bristling with hostility and distrust with Pakistan.

The development comes a couple of days after the Indian government approved the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River, located in the Kishtwar district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Quoting officials as saying, The Hindu reported on Saturday that a panel of the Ministry of Environment has approved the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project.

“This weaponisation of water is neither sane nor acceptable in a region on the frontlines of climate change and environmental stress,” Sherry wrote on her X account, in response to India’s flagrant violation of the Indus Waters Treaty by approving construction of the dam on the Chenab River.

As per the IWT — which cannot be unilaterally revoked, as UN rapporteurs have confirmed recently — Pakistan has control over the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, while the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers fall under India’s control, she clarified.

UN experts slam India’s unilateral actions of May 7 inside Pakistan

The PPP senator said following the illegal suspension of the treaty, India has decided to fast-track several disputed hydroelectric projects in the Indus Basin. “These projects include Sawalkot, Ratle, Bursar, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru, and Kirthai-1 and 2. Dulhasti Stage-II is considered part of this strategy. Baglihar, in the picture below, is already contested by Pakistan as a violation of the IWT,” she maintained.

In a report on India-Pakistan war, the UN special rapporteurs earlier this month endorsed Pakistan’s stance on the Indus Waters Treaty. They expressed deep concern over India’s declaration to hold in abeyance the IWT. They noted that any obstruction or threat to the flow of water affects the fundamental rights of millions of people in Pakistan.

“The rights to water, food, employment, health, environment and development are directly impacted by this decision,” they said.

The UN special experts emphasised that interference with transboundary water rights must be avoided. They said water cannot be used as a tool for political or economic pressure.

The special experts’ report recognised that no party can unilaterally suspend the IWT, emphasising the treaty remains in effect unless both governments mutually terminate it through a new agreement.

At UN, Pakistan pushes India to end Indus Waters Treaty suspension

The special experts’ report also referred to the Indian refusal to participate in arbitration and challenging the scope of the IWT.

The UN experts demanded India to fully honour the treaty and refrain from violating Pakistan’s rights. They said India should take concrete steps to prevent human rights violations and damages arising from the obstruction of water.

The UN special rapporteurs also sent a questionnaire to the Modi government, raising key questions including the evidence of Indian allegations. They also inquired about India’s intentions regarding a peaceful resolution to Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

India did not respond to any of the questions. Due to the lack of response, the UN special experts released the report.