World Bank Rejects India’s Threats to Suspend Indus Waters Treaty

The World Bank has firmly rejected India’s claims about unilaterally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, calling such threats “hollow and imbecile.” The international financial institution emphasized that no single party has the power to halt or withdraw from the agreement.

In a strong-worded official statement, the President of the World Bank clarified that “such a treaty can never be suspended unilaterally, being the very reason it does not have clauses under which it can be withdrawn or held in abeyance by either party.” He further clarified the World Bank’s role, saying “the role of bank hence was only that of a facilitator, not being an arbitrator.”

Responding to India’s increasing hints at disrupting the longstanding water-sharing agreement following the Pahalgam attack, the Bank stressed that “it has been misplaced to claim the World Bank can resolve this matter unilaterally. The Bank’s involvement is strictly defined within the parameters of the treaty and does not have the authority to impose or amend terms.”

These comments come amid growing concerns, with Pakistan and several international observers warning against any unilateral move, highlighting the Indus Waters Treaty as a vital pillar of regional water security.

Reaffirming the legal framework of the 1960 agreement, the World Bank President stated that “any change or termination of the treaty would require agreement between India and Pakistan, as it is clear in the document.”

Despite numerous military and diplomatic standoffs between the nuclear-armed neighbors, the treaty has remained intact since its signing. Experts view the World Bank’s latest remarks as a strong reinforcement of the treaty’s legal standing and a call for cooperative engagement in a fragile geopolitical climate.