SOURCE: AFI
In a dramatic escalation of tensions following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on April 23, 2025, Pakistan is reportedly mobilizing international pressure to paint India as a regional aggressor. This move comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians, prompting India to suspend the IWT, downgrade diplomatic ties, and close the Attari-Wagah border.
As Pakistan seeks to rally global support, India must deliver a clear and uncompromising message to world powers: sever ties with terror-sponsoring Pakistan or risk losing India’s strategic partnership.
Pakistan’s response to India’s IWT suspension has been swift and aggressive. Islamabad has labeled the move an “act of war,” claiming it violates a binding international agreement brokered by the World Bank in 1960. Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office has vowed to respond “with full force across the complete spectrum of national power,” while simultaneously appealing to the United Nations, the World Bank, and major powers like the United States, China, and Russia for intervention. Posts on X indicate Pakistan is framing India’s actions as “water warfare,” aiming to garner sympathy by highlighting the potential agricultural and economic fallout for its 240 million people, 80% of whose cultivated land relies on the Indus River system.
Pakistan’s diplomatic strategy is twofold: portray India as a reckless unilateral actor and leverage its downstream riparian status to rally support from water-stressed nations. Islamabad has also suspended the Shimla Agreement and is reportedly considering withdrawing from the Tashkent Agreement, signaling a broader rejection of bilateral frameworks with India. These moves are designed to internationalize the Kashmir issue and force third-party mediation, a prospect India has long resisted.
India’s suspension of the IWT marks a seismic shift in its approach to Pakistan, moving beyond rhetoric to wield water as a strategic lever. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has stated that the treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.” This decision, coupled with punitive measures like expelling Pakistani diplomats and closing borders, reflects India’s frustration with Pakistan’s persistent sponsorship of groups like The Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack.
To counter Pakistan’s narrative, India must issue a bold and unambiguous message to global powers: nations that continue to engage with a terror-sponsoring Pakistan will jeopardize their strategic and economic ties with India. This “with us or against us” ultimatum leverages India’s growing geopolitical clout as the world’s fifth-largest economy, a key player in the Quad, and a vital partner in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. India’s message should emphasize:
- Pakistan’s Terror Track Record: India must highlight Pakistan’s well-documented history of harboring terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which have targeted Indian civilians and military personnel. The Pahalgam attack, linked to TRF, is only the latest in a series of provocations, including the 2019 Pulwama attack and the 2016 Uri attack. International condemnation of the Pahalgam attack from the U.S., Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia provides India with a platform to demand accountability.
- Economic Leverage: India’s $3.5 trillion economy dwarfs Pakistan’s, offering unmatched opportunities for trade, investment, and technology partnerships. Nations like the U.S., Japan, and the EU, which have deepened ties with India, must recognize that continued engagement with Pakistan—through aid, arms sales, or diplomatic cover—undermines regional stability. India should warn that it will prioritize partnerships with nations that align with its anti-terrorism stance.
- Pakistan’s Regional Isolation: Pakistan’s diplomatic leverage is waning. The U.S. has reduced support post-Afghanistan withdrawal, Gulf nations are frustrated with Islamabad’s lack of reciprocity, and even China’s enthusiasm for the Belt and Road Initiative has cooled due to stalled projects. India should capitalize on this isolation, urging powers to cut ties with Pakistan to avoid alienating a rising India.
- Moral High Ground: By framing the IWT suspension as a response to terrorism rather than an act of aggression, India can appeal to global norms against terror sponsorship. The suspension is not an immediate cutoff of water but a strategic pause, halting data sharing and technical cooperation until Pakistan acts against terror groups. This nuanced approach strengthens India’s case as a responsible actor.
The international community’s response to the IWT suspension has been mixed. The U.S., Russia, and Saudi Arabia have condemned the Pahalgam attack, but there is no consensus on India’s water diplomacy. Pakistan’s appeal to the World Bank, which brokered the IWT, may lead to calls for mediation, though the treaty lacks provisions for unilateral suspension, complicating Pakistan’s legal recourse. China, Pakistan’s closest ally, has remained silent, likely wary of escalating tensions in South Asia while managing its own regional challenges.
Pakistan’s attempt to build international pressure over India’s IWT suspension is a desperate bid to deflect from its role as a terror sponsor. India’s response must be unequivocal: world powers must choose between supporting a rising, democratic India or a Pakistan that continues to destabilize the region. By leveraging its economic might, military superiority, and moral authority, India can isolate Pakistan diplomatically and strategically. The message is clear: cut ties with terror-sponsoring Pakistan, or lose the opportunity to partner with an ascendant India. As tensions simmer, India’s resolve will shape the future of South Asian geopolitics.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.