Pakistan's Defense Minister Threatens Military Action Against Indian Infrastructure Projects Along the Indus River Following India's Suspension of the Indus Water Treaty | VIDEO (Paraphrased)
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning to India, asserting that they will take military action if India constructs any structure on the Indus River in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). His statement comes as a response to India suspending the treaty following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death of 26 individuals.
In an interview with Geo News, Asif made it clear that any attempt by India to build a structure on the Indus would be met with counteraction. He referred to such actions as aggression, expanding the definition beyond the traditional guns-and-bullets approach to include the blocking or diversion of water, which could result in widespread hunger and thirst.
Pakistan is actively raising this issue on international forums and plans to pursue diplomatic channels for resolution. Asif emphasized that it would be challenging for India to violate the IWT, hinting at a firm response if challenged.
In the past, Asif has accused India of playing politics with the terror attack and predicted a possible escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. He has urged the international community to take notice of the heightening tension.
On Wednesday, India blocked the Twitter account of Pakistan's Minister of Defense, Khawaja Asif, amid increasing hostility. In response, Asif stated that Pakistan is prepared for any situation and will respond appropriately to India's actions.
The recent developments mark a significant escalation in the rivalry between the two nations, with India taking various retaliatory measures, such as suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading diplomatic relations, following the Pahalgam attack.
#TrendingNews : PAK रक्षा मंत्री की नई गीदड़भभकी, " INCHE Agrer Banai Toh Hamla Karenge..." | #PahalgamTerroristAttack | @theanupamajha | picture.twitter.com/OkKgawahFt- Zee News (@ZeeNews) May 4, 2025
The Indus Waters Treaty dispute stands at a critical juncture due to India's unilateral suspension of the agreement. Pakistan has denounced this move as a violation of international law, deepening diplomatic tensions. The treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, allocates India the rights over the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers, while granting Pakistan primary rights over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers.
The suspension has sparked concerns about legal implications, regional fallout, and potential international mediation, making this the first instance of the treaty being politically weaponized, risking instability in South Asia's water governance. Both nations' unwillingness to de-escalate suggests a long road ahead for legal and diplomatic wrangling.
- Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, has warned India that military action will be taken if India constructs any structure on the Indus River in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
- Asif referred to any attempt by India to build a structure on the Indus as aggression, expanding the definition beyond traditional forms of violence to include the blocking or diversion of water.
- Pakistan is pursuing diplomatic channels for resolution of the IWT dispute, but the military is reportedly prepared for any situation and will respond appropriately to India's actions.
- The suspension of the IWT by India has sparked concerns about legal implications, regional fallout, and potential international mediation, and has been denounced as a violation of international law.
