Indus

India-Pakistan Indus water dispute

Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan to use the water available in the Indus River system under which India received nearly 33 million acre⋅ft (41 billion m) (16%) while Pakistan received nearly 177 million acre⋅ft (218 billion m) (84%), was suspended by India on 23 April 2025 following a terrorist attack near Pahalgam in Kashmir, citing national security concerns. Following the suspension of the treaty, India decided to stop the flow of water on the Chenab River from the Baglihar Dam as a "short-term punitive action". It also decided to carry out reservoir flushing in order to boost the reservoir holding capacity of Salal and Baglihar projects. These actions were done off-season, in violation of the treaty provisions, without informing Pakistan. Pakistan has reportedly warned that any attempt by India to disrupt the flow of water from shared rivers could be considered an act of war, and that it could attack India with nuclear weapons.