India suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan on

Concept

The Indus Waters Treaty (1960), brokered by the World Bank, divides the Indus river system's waters between India (the eastern rivers – Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) and Pakistan (the western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab). The treaty has no unilateral exit clause, but India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) — the country's apex security decision-making body headed by the Prime Minister — can decide to hold such a treaty in abeyance as a diplomatic and security response to a major provocation.

Application

After the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025, the CCS met on 23 April 2025 and decided on a set of retaliatory measures against Pakistan, including holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance with immediate effect. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri publicly announced this decision the same evening. The treaty was therefore suspended on 23 April 2025.

Cross-check

This announcement date is distinct from 24 April 2025, when India formally sent Pakistan the written diplomatic notice of the decision — the notice communicated a decision that had already been announced a day earlier, confirming 23 April 2025 as the date of suspension.