Pakistan targets India over Indus Waters Treaty during UN chief Guterres’s visit

New Delhi: Pakistan once again raised the Indus Waters Treaty and Jammu & Kashmir issues during United Nations secretary general, Antonio Guterres, visit to Islamabad on Tuesday. Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, briefed Guterres on Islamabad’s position and alleged that India’s decision to hold the treaty in abeyance was a violation of international law.

India placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance in April 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 innocent people. The government said the treaty would remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably ended its support for cross-border terrorism.

Dar called for India to fulfil its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty and accused New Delhi of “weaponizing” water. He also reiterated Pakistan’s call for a “just and peaceful” resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN security council resolutions.

The meeting between Dar and Guterres covered regional and global issues relating to peace and security. Discussions included Palestine, Jammu & Kashmir, Afghanistan, counterterrorism and the future of multilateralism.

Dar also discussed Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran. Guterres said Pakistan’s efforts had helped create conditions for dialogue and contributed to the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, a subsequent ceasefire and a framework for future negotiations.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Dar, Guterres called on all parties involved in the US-Iran conflict to end the fighting and return to diplomacy. He also called for the restoration of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law.

On the Palestinian issue, Guterres said lasting peace in the region would require the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination to be realized. He also stressed the importance of international law and diplomacy in resolving regional conflicts.

Guterres also referred to Pakistan’s role as an elected member of the UN security council during the past two years. He highlighted the importance of multilateralism, dialogue, mediation and peaceful settlement of disputes. The UN chief also spoke about Pakistan’s contribution to UN peacekeeping operations. He said more than 180 Pakistani personnel had lost their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping missions.

Guterres also referred to Security Council Resolution 2823, which strengthens accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers. He said the resolution, led by Pakistan and Denmark, had been co-sponsored by 153 countries.

The UN secretary general also discussed climate change and recalled his visit to Pakistan during the 2022 floods. He said Pakistan remained vulnerable to climate change and called on developed countries to meet their climate commitments and provide financial and technological support to developing nations.

Dar also raised Pakistan’s concerns over terrorism from Afghan territory. He said Islamabad expected the UN and the international community to help address the issue.

The foreign minister said his meeting with Guterres also covered West Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, peacekeeping, sustainable development and climate change. He reiterated Pakistan’s position that dialogue and diplomacy should be given priority in resolving disputes.

Guterres arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day official visit from October 6 to 8 at Dar’s invitation. He was received by Pakistan’s acting foreign secretary ambassador, Nabeel Munir, before meeting Dar.

During the visit, Guterres is scheduled to meet Pakistani president, Asif Ali Zardari; prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif; and Army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. He is also scheduled to visit the headquarters of the United Nations military observer group in India and Pakistan and attend a briefing at the national disaster management authority.