Pakistan has issued a stern warning against the weaponisation of water by India, cautioning that turning water into a tool of political conflict could have grave regional and global implications.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly during a high-level meeting on Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) — which aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all — Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to promoting global water cooperation.
In his national statement, Ambassador Jadoon stressed the critical importance of the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference, calling on member states to use it as a catalyst to accelerate progress toward achieving SDG 6. He also underscored the need for a rules-based international framework to govern the management of transboundary rivers and aquifers, which are essential lifelines shared by many nations.
Ambassador Jadoon reiterated Pakistan’s stance on equitable water sharing and responsible governance of shared resources. He warned that politicising or strategically manipulating water resources undermines trust and jeopardizes the cooperative spirit necessary to address growing global water insecurity.
The warning comes amid rising tensions between Pakistan and India over the Indus Waters Treaty. Last month, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made strong remarks during the National Assembly’s budget session, warning India of severe consequences if it continues to violate the treaty.
“India has two options: either it abides by the Indus Waters Treaty, or Pakistan will respond with war,” Bilawal said. He added that Pakistan has successfully defended its position on multiple fronts — militarily, diplomatically, and through global narratives.
Bilawal, who recently led a high-level delegation to several key capitals, stated that Pakistan had advocated for peace while firmly presenting its stance on the issue of water rights and regional stability.