After the immense loss of human lives and other losses in World War I and World War II, the world concluded that the United Nations should be formed and international laws should be made so that the world does not again go towards destruction.
Various forums were formed for peaceful coexistence, recognition of the right of nations to self-determination, respect for international, regional and bilateral agreements and peaceful resolution of disputes. Although those objectives could not be fully achieved, the world is currently safe from a major disaster. The civilised world has also formed regional forums which are running successfully.
Unfortunately, India has become a state in the subcontinent that considers itself free from all international laws and agreements. Be it the capture of Hyderabad or the assassination of Gandhi for speaking of peace, from the very beginning, religious fanaticism, fascism, and expansionist ambitions in India have been gaining strength under the patronage of the state.
The definition of the principles of humanity, terrorism, equality and justice in the dictionary of the international community is different for each country and region. The world’s silence on the destruction of religious places of Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Dalits in India, attacks on beliefs and terrorism by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has further strengthened India’s aggressive ambitions. This is why now the Indian state is carrying out terrorist acts outside India and Kashmir, and in Canada, the US and the UK as well.
After the Pahalgam false flag operation, India played the role of an irresponsible and terrorist state. Pakistan’s offer of an impartial investigation was responded to in the form of aggression. Mosques and the civilian population were targeted in the darkness of night, and Pakistan only targeted those ships and places from which the aggression was carried out. India is continuously increasing the tension through drones and unprovoked firing on the ceasefire line, and civilians are being targeted.
India, which had been seeking changes in the Indus Waters Treaty for some time, has unilaterally announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The Indus Waters Treaty was reached with the efforts of the World Bank, and any change in this treaty or the dispute resolution mechanism can be through the Commission as per Article 9 or through the Arbitration Court as per Article 10.
Article 11 (b) of the same treaty states “Each of the Parties agrees that it will not invoke this Treaty, anything contained therein, or anything arising out of the execution thereof, in support of any of its own rights or claims whatsoever or in disputing any of the rights or claims whatsoever of the other party, other than those rights or claims which are expressly recognized or waived in this Treaty.”
Regarding the water of rivers, there is also international law along with this treaty, in which Pakistan’s water cannot be stopped in any way. The source of the Indus River is in Tibet, China, and the sources of many rivers flowing in India are in China, such as the Sutlej and Brahmaputra rivers. When India does not recognise any international law and agreements with Pakistan, it may lose the right to recognise China as well. Pakistan has legal means through which India can stop this water aggression.
On the intervening night of May 6-7, India not only targeted civilians and mosques but also damaged the Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Project, which is a clear violation of international law. According to international humanitarian law, which is applicable in wars and conflicts, water reservoirs and dams cannot be damaged.
Articles 54 and 56 of Additional Protocol 1 to the Geneva Convention 1949 are clear in this regard. Similarly, according to the Geneva Principles on Protection of Water Infrastructure, water and water-related infrastructure cannot be made a part of war. All the rivers flowing into Pakistan come from occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and none of India’s claims on these rivers are valid. Jammu and Kashmir is not a part of India but a disputed territory which is recognised by the entire international community, including the United Nations.
Pakistan has termed the abrogation of the Indus Waters Treaty as an act of war. Now, if India neither respects international law nor international or bilateral agreements, Pakistan will have no option but to respond in its language. If a major war situation arises between Pakistan and India, it will not be limited to just the two countries, and its effects will spread to the entire world and then take the form of a third world war. It is still time for the international community to take notice of India’s expansionist ambitions, aggression and violations of international law, lest those who remain silent for the economic interests of India fall victim to the fire set by India.
(The writer is Director of Kashmir Policy Research Institute, Islamabad.)
