India is working to ensure that water from shared river systems does not flow into Pakistan after suspending the Indus Waters Treaty last year, a senior Indian minister has said, further heightening tensions between the two neighbours.

The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the distribution of six rivers in the Indus basin between India and Pakistan.

India suspended the agreement following an attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people.

Federal water minister C.R. Patil said New Delhi was actively working under government direction to restrict water flow into Pakistan, adding that “not a single drop” would be allowed to cross the border.

He said the treaty had been placed in abeyance and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were overseeing the measures.

Under the agreement, Pakistan has rights to the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — while India controls the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.

The treaty also permits India limited non-consumptive use of the western rivers, including hydropower generation.

Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus river system, which provides a major share of its water for agriculture, drinking supplies and power generation.

It has accused India of attempting to “weaponise” water, warning that any disruption could be treated as an act of war.

India has linked its suspension of the treaty to cross-border militancy following the Kashmir attack and a brief military confrontation in May 2025.

Pakistan has denied involvement in the incident and rejected allegations of supporting militant groups.

The dispute over water sharing comes amid prolonged diplomatic tensions over Kashmir, a region that has been at the centre of multiple conflicts and insurgencies between the two countries.

Islamabad maintains that the treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended and remains legally binding, while New Delhi has said it will not restore participation until Pakistan takes action against cross-border militancy.

The latest comments come as both countries continue to exchange accusations over water infrastructure projects along the Chenab River, further straining already fragile relations.