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Pakistan on Thursday accused India of 'weaponising' water through two river projects on the Chenab, saying the initiatives would violate the Indus Waters Treaty that has governed cross-border waterways for decades. The accusation, reported by two South Asian outlets, underscores the heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, whose bilateral relations remain frozen more than a year after a brief military clash.

According to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, as quoted by The Hindu, New Delhi did not consult Islamabad on the projects, which he said would undermine the treaty. "These projects confirm that India seems to weaponise water," he said, adding that they carried "dangerous implications not only for Pakistan's economy but also for regional stability and international peace and security."

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Dawn (Pakistan) and The Hindu (India) both focus on the water dispute, but they approach it from different angles. Dawn's coverage, which appears to be an analytical piece on the broader India-Pakistan relationship, frames the water issue as part of a wider pattern of confrontation, with an emphasis on the need for dialogue. The Hindu's report, in contrast, is a straightforward news story centred on Pakistan's allegations and India's response.

Neither outlet disputes the core facts: India announced two projects on the Chenab River this year, Pakistan says they violate the Indus Waters Treaty, and India insists it is acting within its rights. The tone of The Hindu's report is neutral, while Dawn's analysis is more interpretive, suggesting that both sides need a backchannel to prevent a crisis.

Key Claims

  • Pakistan's accusation: According to The Hindu, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said India's projects would "weaponise" water and violate the Indus Waters Treaty. Dawn similarly reports that India's plans to divert water from the Chenab are a concern.
  • India's position: India, as reported by The Hindu, maintains it is within its rights to proceed with projects on waters it controls, even though rivers flowing through both countries would be impacted.
  • Treaty suspension: Both outlets report that India announced the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty in 2025, in the aftermath of a terrorist incident in Indian-administered Kashmir and before a brief military clash. Dawn adds that Indian officials declared Pakistan would not get "a single drop" from what they called "India's rivers."
  • 'Act of war' statement: Both outlets note that Pakistan has previously said any attempt to alter the flow of cross-border waterways would be considered an "act of war." Dawn also reports that Pakistan believes the treaty does not allow unilateral suspension, a position echoed by Andrabi in The Hindu.
  • Project details: The Hindu reports that India's state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation issued a tender in May for a tunnel to transfer water from the Chenab to the Beas basin, and that the Power Ministry said in January it was conducting "sediment removal" at the Salal Power Station "following the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty."
  • Military concerns: Dawn's analysis mentions India's plans to rearm and upgrade its military, which it says pose a threat to Pakistan. This claim, however, is not directly supported in The Hindu's report and should be treated as a Pakistani perspective rather than a verified fact.

Perspectives

Pakistani perspective: Pakistan views India's river projects as a deliberate attempt to weaponise water, threatening its agricultural economy and the livelihoods of 250 million people. Pakistan's foreign ministry insists the treaty still binds both governments and that India's suspension has no legal basis.

Indian perspective: India, according to The Hindu, asserts its right to develop projects on waters under its control, and maintains the treaty is no longer in force following its suspension. Indian officials have previously stated that Pakistan will not receive water from what they consider Indian rivers.

Analytical perspective: Dawn's coverage suggests that the water dispute is part of a broader deterioration in India-Pakistan relations, which hit a low point after the 2025 conflict. The outlet argues that a backchannel is necessary to prevent further escalation, a recommendation that echoes calls from some former officials in both countries.