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Indus Water Treaty : Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has expressed his opinion on two important issues to India and Pakistan. The first issue is of Indus Water Treaty. The second issue is to India’s geographical and strategic position in South Asia. Iqbal said that now there is a danger in front of Pakistan that India can use it as a means of creating pressure by withholding water at the time of need. With his statement, the ongoing tension between the two countries regarding water has once again come into discussion.

India accused of weaponizing water

Referring to the geographical location of India, PAK Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that India is a coastal country and many rivers come to Pakistan through India. According to him, due to this geographical location India has the ability to influence Pakistan’s water supply.

Iqbal alleged that India is trying to use the situation as a weapon against Pakistan. He has called it a serious threat to Pakistan.

Treaty in Abeyance after Pahalgam attack

India had decided to put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. India says the treaty will not be reinstated until Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism.

Pakistan has been continuously calling this decision of India as unilateral and illegal. Ahsan Iqbal’s latest statement indicates that Pakistan is concerned about the impact of this issue on water security and its economy.

Pakistan’s agriculture depends on Indus river system

Pakistan’s agricultural system is heavily dependent on the Indus River system. For this reason, the issue of river water between India and Pakistan is considered very sensitive. Indus Water Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in the year 1960.

The World Bank’s mediation played an important role in this agreement. This treaty has long been the basis for water sharing despite numerous political and military tensions between the two countries.

India’s central role considered necessary

Ahsan Iqbal acknowledged India’s position in South Asia in his second statement. He said that India is at the very center of this region and the rest of the countries are located on the periphery.

According to him, India’s role is very important for the proper functioning of South Asia. This statement is important because Pakistan has on many occasions been adopting a critical stance regarding India’s role on regional cooperation issues.

India is important due to size and geographical location

India’s area, population, economy and geographical position in South Asia make it a central power in the region. Countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are linked with India geographically or economically. In such a situation, it is difficult to ignore India’s participation in regional stability and cooperation. Iqbal’s comment points towards this reality.

Pakistan’s dual concern visible in both statements

If we look at both the statements of Ahsan Iqbal together, two aspects of Pakistan’s situation emerge. On one hand, he is expressing fear of using water as a means of pressure on India.

On the other hand, it is also accepting that India’s role is necessary for the effective functioning of South Asia. This shows that despite tensions with India, Pakistan cannot completely ignore India’s influence and importance in the region.

Tension and dialogue may continue further

India’s stance is that normal cooperation is not possible in an environment of terrorism. At the same time, Pakistan has been opposing India’s decision regarding the Indus Water Treaty and calls it a serious step.

In such a situation, issues to water, terrorism and regional cooperation between the two countries may remain important in the future also. Cooperation is essential for the stability of South Asia, but lack of mutual trust is a major challenge facing these efforts.