Pahalgam Terror: What Is Indus Waters Treaty? 65-Yr-Old Deal Suspended Between India-PAK; Attari Border Closed

The Pahalgam terror attack has resulted in major cross-border decisions by the Cabinet Committee on Security or CCS, which is the highest decision-making body for India's national security. During a special briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on April 23, Foreign Security of India, Vikram Misri announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, alongside the closing of the popular Attari-Wagah border.

During the special briefing, Misri said, "The Cabinet Committee of Security met this evening under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CSS was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir, in which, 25 Indians and 1 Nepali were killed. A number of others sustained injuries."

He added, "The CSS condemned the attack in the strongest terms, and expressed its deepest condolences to the family of victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured."

"Strong expression of support and solidarity has been received from many governments around the world, which have unequivocally condemned this terror attack. The CSS recorded its appreciation for such sentiments which reflects zero tolerance for terrorism," he further said.

In the briefing to CSS, the cross-border linkages of terrorist attacks were brought out. Misri said, it was noted, that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the union territory, and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.

Recognizing the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the CSS decided upon the following:

The Indus Waters treaty of 1960 has been suspended until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.

What is the Indus Waters Treaty Of 1960?

This treaty is more six-decades old between India and Pakistan which was brokered by World Bank. Incepted on September 19, 1960, the treaty enabled equal rights to both India and Pakistan for usage of waters in the Indus River System.

The Indus River is vast and spread between three countries India, Pakistan and China. Rising from the southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region of China, the Indus River flows through the Kashmir region of India and further expanding through Pakistan to drain into the Arabian Sea.

The Treaty gives control over the waters of the three "Eastern Rivers" - the Beas, Ravi and Sutlej located in India with a mean annual flow of 41 billion m3 (33 million acre-ft) - to India, while control over the waters of the three "Western Rivers" - the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum located in India with a mean annual flow of 99 billion m3 - to Pakistan.[7] India got about 30% of the total water carried by the Indus Rivers System located in India while Pakistan got the remaining 70%.[8][9] The treaty allows India to use the water of Western Rivers for limited irrigation use and unlimited non-consumptive uses such as power generation, navigation, floating of property, fish culture, etc.[10] It lays down detailed regulations for India in building projects over the Western Rivers. The preamble of the treaty recognises the rights and obligations of each country for the optimum water use from the Indus System of Rivers in a spirit of goodwill, friendship and cooperation. Though the treaty is in no way connected with the security aspects of both nations, Pakistan, being a downstream nation of both Eastern and Western Rivers, fears that India could potentially create floods or droughts in Pakistan, especially in times of warlike situations, as per Wikipedia.

Another bold move announced by the CSS is the shutdown of the Attari border.

Misri said the integrated check post-Attari-Wagah border will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over the border with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025.

The Attari-Wagah border is easily the most famous and popular border crossing between India and Pakistan. It is also a renowned tourist spot in Amritsar.

Watch Full CSS Special Briefing Here: