By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Thursday warned India against any attempt to stop or significantly reduce water flows to Pakistan, saying such a move could have “far-reaching consequences” and would be treated with the utmost seriousness.

Speaking at a weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi responded to remarks made a day earlier by Indian Water Resources Minister C.R. Patil, who said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop of water” would flow into Pakistan in the coming years.

Andrabi said any effort to block or substantially curtail water vital to the livelihood, agriculture and well-being of more than 250 million Pakistanis would be “a deeply irresponsible act” and contrary to international obligations governing transboundary rivers, as well as India's commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

“Pakistan firmly rejects any notion that water can be treated as a political tool, an instrument of coercion, or a weapon,” he said.

The spokesman warned that such actions would threaten peace and security not only in South Asia but beyond, adding that responsibility for any resulting instability would rest with India.

“Pakistan’s rights and interests with respect to its water resources are non-negotiable,” Andrabi said. “We will vigorously defend those rights through all available diplomatic, legal, political and economic measures consistent with international law and the United Nations Charter.”

He further said that any deliberate attempt to block water essential for Pakistan’s survival and development would constitute an “extremely grave act” and could potentially amount to an act of war, citing the inherent right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Pakistan, he said, would take all necessary measures to protect its economy, national interests and population.

The latest exchange comes amid growing tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the sharing of water from six rivers originating in India and flowing into Pakistan. India suspended its participation in the treaty in 2025 following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied the allegation and rejected India's move, arguing that the treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended.

Andrabi urged India to act responsibly, honor its international commitments and avoid steps that could further escalate tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. He added that Pakistan would closely monitor developments in Indian-administered Kashmir and other areas from which the rivers originate.