No unilateral exit from IWT, says WB chief

World Bank President Ajay Banga has said that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between Pakistan and India does not allow for unilateral suspension, stressing that the agreement can only be amended or suspended with mutual consent.

His remarks come in the wake of India's declaration to unilaterally and illegally terminate the treaty following the false flag operation in Pahalgam last month, a move widely criticised in Pakistan and viewed as a violation of international obligations.

"There is no provision in the treaty to allow for suspension the way it was drawn up. It either needs to be gone, or replaced by another one, and that requires the two countries to want to agree," he said, speaking to CNBC-TV18.

However, he noted that while the Bank does not arbitrate or enforce provisions, it assists in initiating proceedings when the treaty's dispute-resolution mechanisms are triggered.

In the event of disagreement, the Bank facilitates the appointment of either a neutral expert or a court of arbitration, without taking a position itself.

Banga stated that the World Bank functions purely as a facilitator in the context of the treaty, which was brokered by the Bank in 1960 to regulate water sharing between India and Pakistan.

"We have to pay the fees of those guys through a trust fund that was set up at the Bank at the time of creation of the treaty. That's our role. We have no role to play beyond that," he said.

The Indus Waters Treaty allocates control of rivers between the two nations and mandates that any changes to the agreement require mutual consent.

"It's their decision," he said and confirmed that the Bank had not received any formal communication from either India or Pakistan regarding recent developments.

In the wake of heightened tensions following a terror attack in Pahalgam, India moved to unilaterally suspend key aspects of the treaty.

These actions include active regulation of water flow to Pakistan, particularly via the Chenab River.

India has also halted the mandatory sharing of hydrological data under the treaty and is considering extending its controversial flushing operations to the Kishanganga hydropower project on the Jhelum River.

FO response

Meanwhile, Pakistan has responded to letters from India concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, reiterating that the treaty is a binding international agreement that remains fully in force and cannot be suspended or violated, the Foreign Office said on Wednesday.

FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that Pakistan has made it clear to India that any violation of the treaty would be unacceptable. "The Indus Waters Treaty is an international obligation that must be upheld," he added.

The spokesperson further emphasised that the treaty does not allow for suspension under any circumstances. "There is no provision within the Indus Waters Treaty for it to be unilaterally suspended. It is fully in force and must be implemented in letter and spirit," Khan reiterated.

The FO maintained that Pakistan will continue to raise its voice at every relevant forum to safeguard its rights under the treaty.