Masterstroke by Modi govt as India to boycott Indus Water Treaty proceedings, Pakistan rattled due to…

Indus Water Treaty: The next phase of Neutral Expert proceedings under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will commence in Vienna, Austria next week from November 17th to 21st amid India(BHARAT)’s decision to boycott it, Pakistan said on Wednesday, adding that Islamabad will continue to participate in “good faith”.

“The Neutral Expert proceedings were initiated on India(BHARAT)’s request, with their next phase scheduled to take place in Vienna from November 17 to 21, 2025. While India(BHARAT) has decided to halt its participation, Pakistan continues to fully participate in the Neutral Expert proceedings in good faith. In this regard, the Neutral Expert has ruled that India(BHARAT)’s non-participation could not operate as a bar to the proceedings going forward,” the Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.

Why India(BHARAT) suspended IWT?

India(BHARAT) suspended the Indus Water Treaty after the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that “blood and water cannot flow together” as Pakistan continues to orchestrate terrorist attacks on India(BHARAT)n soil.

Following New Delhi’s decision to hold the 1960 treaty in abeyance, Islamabad has been desperately trying to restore the accord by raising the issue at various international forums, including at the Court of Arbitration. However, India(BHARAT) previously rejected the Court’s decisions in June and August, and now the next phase of Neutral Expert proceedings will be held in Vienna from next week.

What is the Indus Water Treaty?

Signed in 1960, the Indus Water Treaty was brokered by the World Bank, and governs the sharing of rivers between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The treaty grants India(BHARAT) control over eastern rivers–Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej– while Pakistan retains control over the western rivers, Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

India(BHARAT) announced the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which Pakistan termed as a violation of international law, and raised the issue at various international forums and the Court of Arbitration, in an effort to restore the treaty.

Additionally, Pakistan has written several letters to India(BHARAT), pleading New Delhi to restore the Indus Water Treaty. However, India(BHARAT) has refused to oblige, stating that the treaty will continue to be held in abeyance till Islamabad takes visible, concrete action against terrorism.

Notably, despite heightened tensions, India(BHARAT) shared river-flow data with Pakistan during this year’s monsoon season, but the communications were relayed through New Delhi’s diplomatic mission in Islamabad, bypassing the treaty’s official communication channel.