India on Wednesday sparked a diplomatic controversy by temporarily suspending the decades-old Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with its neighbour Pakistan.
The decision was strongly condemned by Pakistan, who described it as a powerful ‘call to war’ for both countries.
The agreement regulates the shared use of water from the Indus River system, which is crucial to Pakistan’s agriculture, providing 80% of its water for irrigation.
Pakistani leaders have warned of the potential economic impact, as India’s decision could disrupt water flows, affecting crops such as wheat, rice and sugarcane.
But the entire suspension is not a one-off move, as it revolves around a deadly attack in Kashmir believed to be carried out by Pakistani-backed militants.
Both sides have downgraded diplomatic ties, exploited officials and closed their borders, with Pakistan halting trade and airspace access for India.
However, the real concern is the escalating water conflict, which could cause this already fragile relationship to plunge into a deeper crisis.
