Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated after India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 tourists dead.
In a provocative statement, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned India that “either our water or their blood will flow,” indicating the growing anger within Pakistan over India’s tough measures.
Addressing a public rally, Bhutto accused India of unlawfully abrogating the Indus Waters Treaty and claimed that Pakistan is the true custodian of the Indus civilisation. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of warmongering and attempting to divert attention from domestic failures by targeting Pakistan.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 after years of negotiations, governs the allocation and usage of six rivers of the Indus basin between the two countries. The suspension of the treaty is seen as a major blow for Pakistan, as nearly 80% of its agricultural land depends on waters regulated under the agreement.
The move is expected to have far-reaching economic and social consequences for Pakistan, making water security a central point of the current tension.
In a firm response, Indian ministers rejected Bhutto’s threats.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri called Bhutto a “fool” and declared that Pakistan would have to “pay the price” for its involvement in terrorist activities like the Pahalgam attack.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also hit back, stating that India would not be cowed by Pakistan’s threats and emphasizing that terrorism continues to be Pakistan’s primary agenda rather than ensuring stability or prosperity for its people.
The diplomatic clash marks another low in the already strained ties between the two neighbours.
Prime Minister Modi, during a recent rally in Bihar, had sent a tough message to Pakistan, vowing to “identify, track and punish” every terrorist and their supporters, promising that India would “pursue them to the ends of the earth.”
Despite Pakistan’s attempts to deny involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack, India’s strong retaliatory measures—including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty—signal a decisive shift in strategy.
The collapse of trust between the two nations, coupled with hardening rhetoric, raises concerns over future peace efforts in the region.
