Despite resolutions and efforts initiated between Pakistan and India these South Asian neighbours seldom experience amity and concord only to face a disruption in diplomatic ties. The recent verbal spasm by India against Pakistan following the Uri attack in the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir has put the armed forces of these neighbouring countries on alert. Even though the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did visit Lahore in December 2015 to meet Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif signifying these two countries and their intentions were on the same page, it is now certain that these South Asian giants are not even in the same book. Although politics does play a role in aggravating or easing diplomatic tensions between two countries, the economic factors or natural resources become the foundation of wars. In the case of Pakistan-India political friction, Kashmir is the bone of contention. Since all major rivers flowing into Pakistan and India originate from Kashmir, therefore, this land is a game changer for both countries. It was in 1947, during the post-partition days, when the problem of dividing the Indus River equally between Pakistan and India first emerged. Since Pakistan’s Punjab consisted of a complex irrigation system developed by the British to be governed by a single administration, it posed several problems. However, both countries decided to use the river according to an agreement prevailing at the time of the partition. Pakistan had to face hostility once the agreement reached its limit on March 31, 1948, when the Indian Punjab cut the water flow to Pakistan. Even though Pakistan and India’s water dispute and the Kashmir issue are interconnected, no resolution to the Kashmir issue is still in sight. The World Bank did intervene to solve the water crisis leading to the birth of the Indus Water Treaty in 1960. Perhaps if Pakistan and India had presented the Kashmir conflict and the water dispute as one issue and not as a separate entity before the United Nations Security Council, an early resolution or some ease in tension might have been facilitated. Although the signing of the Indus Water Treaty by Pakistan and India did give Pakistan exclusive usage rights to three rivers — Indus, Chenab and Jhelum — while India had rights to govern over Beas, Ravi and Sutlej, it did prevent both countries from entering into further skirmishes over the water dispute. However, the Kashmir issue still prevails subliminally indicating that the water dispute is the cause. However, the recent Pakistan-India crisis began when New Delhi immediately pointed fingers at Islamabad following the Uri attack. New Delhi accumulating enough evidence and presenting them to Pakistan for a joint action in eradicating terrorism and fortifying their borders and the region from any such radicalism would have been a suitable approach. However, now the cat is out of the bag, and Pakistan has to diplomatically engage and strategically diffuse the situation in response to India’s statements to retain peace in the region. Even if India decides to cut off the flow of water only partially, it will create an agrarian economic crisis in Pakistan. Recently, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said, “… the revocation of the Indus Waters Treaty by India can be taken as an act of war against Pakistan.” If India revokes the treaty then China may as well suspend water flow to the Brahmaputra River. In this case, China will indirectly be involved in the Pakistan-India war, which may disrupt regional harmony. However, reports also suggest India of constructing projects including dams and other structures on its river not allowed under the treaty. Pakistan needs to act thoughtfully to prevent any friction with India, and to ensure that China-Pakistan ties remain balanced given that India’s actions may jeopardise the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. With internal crisis such as energy shortfall and inflation, and India’s threat of an attack, chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan’s resiliency to march towards Raiwind in protest against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was nothing short of an immature act. Such acts only weaken democracy and add insult to injury. Unity, therefore, is the name of the game at this hour when a war against India — weapon-based or water-based — is overshadowing Pakistan. Therefore, all political leaders of Pakistan must act wisely, and unite at this time of grave crisis to strengthen democracy and an independent, strong Pakistan. The writer is a freelance columnist