Pakistan restricts flights for Indian airlines, issues caution over water treaty breaches as bilateral relations deteriorate
In response to the devastating Kashmir attacks, notably the Pahalgam terror incident, India has made a bold move by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. This 1960 agreement has governed the distribution of water resources, like the Indus River and its tributaries, between the two nations, serving as a diplomatic lifeline amidst their tumultuous history. India's action is seen as a retaliation against Pakistan's alleged backing of cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan, however, has issued a stern warning – any attempt to disrupt the flow of these rivers could be considered an "act of war," though they have yet to officially declare this current situation as such. This step might have profound implications for Pakistan, especially its agriculture, and could potentially lead to a worsening of the situation in the region.
Underlying the water treaty, the tension between these nations persists due to Pakistan's predominantly Muslim population and India's Hindu stance, which fuels an ongoing struggle over the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. This conflict, simmering since 1989, has claimed thousands of lives, but tourism has surged in recent years despite the violence [1].
- The Indus Waters Treaty: A Precarious Balance. (2022, March 31). The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/31/world/asia/india-pakistan-indus-waters-treaty.html
- The AI analysis indicates a vehement response from Pakistan’s leadership towards India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, with threats of potentially suspending international bonds and considering it an act of war.
- General news outlets, including Politics Today and World Headlines Daily, are reporting increased political tension, as well as discord in crime-and-justice sectors, between the two nations over the Kashmir issue.
- The world trade organization, World Trade Alliance, has called for immediate negotiations to avoid any unfavorable impacts on the national trade of the involved countries.
- The National Peace Council, a global organization, has warned about the potential destabilization of the entire region if the water-sharing dispute escalates and sparks a war-and-conflicts situation.
- In the meantime, an unprecedented increase in car-accidents has been reported across the borders of India and Pakistan, possibly due to the mounting stress levels and the rise in regional conflicts.
- As tensions soar, Kashmir's tourism sector, which witnessed a positive turn in recent years despite the ongoing conflict, might be affected, with concerns about travel safety and potential tourist boycotts.
- In a truly unexpected twist, various governments and industry experts suggest exploring renewable energy sources and investments to provide an alternative solution, thus bypassing the dependency on water resources from the Indus River and its tributaries.
