India has closed all four sluice gates controlling the flow of the Indus River into Pakistan, effectively halting water supplies downstream. This action follows the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, which had governed water sharing between the two nations for over six decades.
The decision comes in the wake of a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen. The attack was claimed by the militant group Kashmir Resistance, believed to have ties to Pakistan-based organizations. In response, India has downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan, expelled Pakistani military attaches, and closed the main land border crossing at Attari.
Pakistan has condemned India’s actions, warning that any attempt to divert or halt the flow of the Indus River would be considered an act of war. The Indus Waters Treaty had previously survived multiple conflicts between the two countries, including wars in 1965, 1971, and 1999. Its suspension raises concerns about the potential for further escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
The closure of the sluice gates is expected to have significant implications for Pakistan’s agriculture and water security, as the Indus River is a critical resource for the country’s irrigation and power generation. The international community has expressed concern over the deteriorating relations between India and Pakistan, urging both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to resolve their differences.
