Pakistan has warned India against misusing its limited rights under the Indus Waters Treaty. The Foreign Office said India cannot unilaterally build hydropower projects on western rivers. The statement followed reports about a new Indian project on the Chenab River.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said India approved the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project without informing Pakistan. He stated that such prior information is mandatory under the treaty. Therefore, the reports have raised serious legal and technical concerns.
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He explained that the Indus Waters Treaty strictly regulates any Indian use of western rivers. India must follow design, operational, and information-sharing requirements. However, Pakistan has received no formal details about the project so far.
As a result, Pakistan’s Indus Waters Commissioner has sought clarification from his Indian counterpart. He asked whether the project is new or an expansion of an existing plant. Pakistan says it cannot assess treaty compliance without official data.
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The spokesperson reaffirmed that the treaty remains a binding international agreement. Pakistan remains open to peaceful dispute resolution. However, it will never compromise on its water rights and treaty protections.