NEW DELHI: India has reaffirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan takes clear, verifiable, and permanent steps to stop supporting terrorism.

Speaking at a United Nations event marking World Water Day 2026, India’s Permanent Representative Harish Parvathaneni said the decision was driven by repeated provocations and the breakdown of bilateral engagement. The event focused on the theme “Water and Gender Equality.”

He noted that while he had not intended to raise a bilateral issue at the forum, he felt compelled to respond after Pakistan brought it up. Harish said India had signed the treaty more than six decades ago in good faith and with a spirit of cooperation, but alleged that Pakistan undermined this through conflicts and continued backing of terrorism.

He added that India’s restraint and goodwill had failed to bring about any change in Pakistan’s approach, leaving New Delhi with no option but to place the treaty in abeyance. He stressed that the suspension would remain until Pakistan ends all forms of terrorism support in a credible and irreversible manner.

Emphasizing that obligations must be mutual, he said Pakistan must abandon terrorism as a state policy tool and respect human life before expecting adherence to treaty commitments.

India suspended the treaty following last year’s Pahalgam terror attack, which was linked to The Resistance Front, a group associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Harish also pointed out that significant changes over the past 65 years—including advances in dam technology, evolving clean energy needs, and climate and population pressures—make it necessary to revisit the treaty. He noted that India’s attempts to initiate discussions on updating the agreement had been consistently rejected by Pakistan.

Despite the criticism, India reiterated its commitment to sustainable water management. Harish highlighted that water remains central to achieving global development goals, even as progress on universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation remains slow.

He also referenced the Jal Jeevan Mission, one of the world’s largest rural water supply initiatives, which aims to provide piped drinking water to households. The programme emphasizes community involvement, with village water committees—many led by women—playing a key role.

India further called for stronger international cooperation in water management, stressing the need to build national capacity, encourage technological innovation, and enhance scientific collaboration, especially in developing nations.

Reaffirming its global engagement, India said it looks forward to participating in upcoming UN platforms to promote inclusive and sustainable water governance.