Pakistan on Thursday escalated tensions dramatically with India by suspending all bilateral trade, shutting off Indian airspace, and issuing a warning against any attempts by New Delhi to divert water from the Indus River system as an “act of war.”
This announcement came just days after a fatal militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 dead, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen. India blames Pakistan-based militants for carrying out this assault, prompting diplomatic and military maneuvering from both countries in response.
India’s allegations and retaliatory measures – revoking visas for Pakistani nationals, closing Attari-Wagah border crossing, and suspending Indus Waters Treaty–has sparked strong condemnations by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, calling the measures unilateral and provocative measures which threatened regional stability.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently stated in a press briefing, that Pakistan cannot remain passive when facing aggression from India. Closing our airspace to Indian aircraft and suspending trade are necessary measures taken by us to defend our national interests and safeguard them. Furthermore, any disruption or diversion of water under the Indus Waters Treaty would be regarded as acts of war by us.”
Pakistan’s airspace closure is already having an effect on regional flight operations, forcing several international airlines to alter their plans and halt trade between land and sea routes between neighboring nations, further disrupting economic exchange.
Water diversion poses a particularly severe threat. Since being signed with World Bank support in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty has withstood multiple conflicts between India and Pakistan and been seen as a stabilizing force between them – however India’s recent suspension of cooperation under this treaty has alarmed Islamabad greatly.
Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus River system for agriculture and drinking water supplies, so any significant changes to water flows from upstream India would put millions of lives at risk and could spark a humanitarian catastrophe, according to officials in Islamabad.
Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, reiterated that their military is on high alert and ready to respond to any potential threats if India chooses confrontation. If it chooses confrontation, Pakistan will remain firm and united.
The international community has expressed grave alarm at the swiftly deteriorating situation between India and Pakistan. Although United Nations and several world powers have issued calls for restraint and dialogue, both nations appear determined to prolong this standoff.
Analysts warn that with nuclear capabilities on both sides and trust being at an all-time low, any miscalculation could quickly escalate into conflict.