India has intensified work on a controversial project to divert the flow of the Chenab River towards the Beas and Ravi rivers, sparking alarm in Pakistan about the future of its water resources. The project, described as a form of “hydrological warfare,” includes a 23-kilometre concrete tunnel linking the Chenab to the Solang Nullah, which feeds into the Ravi River. This move threatens to significantly reduce water flow to Pakistan, affecting agriculture, ecosystems, and millions of people downstream.
The plan, first revealed in India’s 2011–2012 budget, directly challenges the Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark 1960 agreement between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank. The treaty allocates control of eastern rivers like Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej to India, while Pakistan manages the western rivers, including Chenab.
Water experts and analysts have condemned India’s actions as a blatant violation of international law and treaty obligations. Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi warned that the Chenab River faces a grave threat due to India’s proposed Gyspa Dam, which seeks to redirect its waters to the Beas River. He called on Pakistan’s government to take immediate action to protect national water interests.
The issue has been further aggravated by India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23, 2025, following the Pahalgam incident. India justified this move by citing national security concerns and accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism. Pakistan responded swiftly with diplomatic and military measures, rejecting India’s suspension as legally invalid.
Former IRSA member Rao Irshad Ali Khan clarified that the treaty remains binding under international law and cannot be terminated without mutual consent. Senior politician Mushahid Hussain Sayed also condemned India’s move as legally indefensible and urged Pakistan to bring the matter to the United Nations and the World Bank, which guarantees the treaty.
Mushahid emphasized that the treaty has withstood multiple conflicts over the decades, highlighting its durability. He criticized India for bypassing established dispute resolution mechanisms like the Permanent Indus Commission and neutral experts, actions that threaten the foundation of international cooperation.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Chenab River—known as the Moon River—runs only a short stretch through Indian territory but already hosts 49 hydropower projects. This heavy exploitation places significant environmental and geopolitical pressure on an already fragile water system, further complicating regional stability.
Pakistan remains on high alert as India’s water diversion plans pose serious risks to the country’s water security, agriculture, and regional peace.