After India Suspends Indus Water Treaty Following Terror Attack in Kashmir, Pakistan Responds by Suspending the Simla Agreement

After India Suspends Indus Water Treaty Following Terror Attack in Kashmir, Pakistan Responds by Suspending the Simla Agreement

According to a report by BBC Bangla, widespread discussions are taking place in both India and Pakistan following India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and, in response, Pakistan’s suspension of the Simla Agreement. The key question now is: how significant are these two treaties in the context of the two countries?

Foreign policy analyst Michael Kugelman wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “The Indus Water Treaty and the Simla Agreement served as safety nets during times of high tension between Pakistan and India — ensuring a baseline of cooperation and communication.”

He added, “There’s now a risk of the two countries entering a highly dangerous phase in their relationship.”

So, the question arises — how appropriate is Pakistan’s suspension of the Simla Agreement in response to India suspending the Indus Water Treaty?

In response to this, Professor Mahendra P. Lama said, “The Simla Agreement is already dead, while every line of the Indus Water Treaty is still alive. You can’t compare a dead treaty to a living and operational one. Pakistanis are talking about suspending a treaty they themselves have already rendered obsolete.”

Professor Lama added, “Suspending the Indus Water Treaty would have a severe impact on Pakistan. More than 80% of its population could be affected because 70% of the Indus River’s water flows into Pakistan.”

“Over 80% of Pakistan’s agricultural output depends on the water governed by the Indus Water Treaty. If that water is blocked, it will create serious problems for the people of Pakistan.”

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following the recent attack on tourists by gunmen in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir. Both sides have taken retaliatory actions in response.

Following Tuesday’s incident, India announced a series of swift decisions, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, the closure of major border crossings, halting visa services for Pakistanis, and expelling Pakistani diplomats.

In retaliation, Pakistan has also taken multiple measures against India. It announced that India would no longer be allowed to use Pakistani airspace, all trade would be halted, and it officially declared the suspension of the 1972 Simla Agreement.