India freezes Indus Treaty despite ceasefire

Despite a mutual agreement between India and Pakistan to de-escalate hostilities following four days of intense cross-border clashes, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain suspended, according to sources in India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Despite a mutual agreement between India and Pakistan to de-escalate hostilities following four days of intense cross-border clashes, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain suspended, according to sources in India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

India had unilaterally suspended its participation in the treaty in April after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The attack, which saw terrorists open fire at point-blank range in Baisaran Valley, triggered retaliatory military strikes by India on May 7 targeting nine terror infrastructure sites inside Pakistan.

Following the escalation, both nations agreed to a ceasefire effective from 5:00 PM IST on Saturday, mediated by the United States under President Donald Trump. The ceasefire was confirmed after a call between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries.

“There is no pre or post-condition of the ceasefire,” MEA sources clarified. “The call was initiated from Pakistan. The Indus Water Treaty will remain in abeyance.”

According to the same sources: “India's measures announced against Pakistan on April 23 remain in place.”

This includes not only the suspension of the IWT but also the cancellation of trade and diplomatic engagements, as well as the review of bilateral water-sharing mechanisms.

India’s decision to suspend the IWT marked a major shift in policy, given that the 1960 treaty—brokered by the World Bank—has historically survived multiple conflicts between the two nations.

However, New Delhi has made it clear that normalcy in this regard will not return until Islamabad takes verifiable and sustained action against terror groups operating from its soil.