Ceasefire Won’t End Consequences: IWT in Abeyance, Pakistan Still Paying for Pahalgam

India has accepted Pakistan’s request for a ceasefire following intense military operations that saw significant damage inflicted on Pakistani airbases on May 9 and 10. The ceasefire, initiated by Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations, was agreed upon under strict Indian terms—with no conditions attached and without any third-party involvement. However, India has made it clear that the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) will remain suspended, signaling that the cost of supporting cross-border terrorism will continue for Pakistan.

The pact sought to divide the water of the Indus river and its tributaries equitably among the two countries. Representational pic/PTI

The recent escalation was triggered by the brutal massacre of Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, an attack India has directly linked to Pakistan-backed terror groups. In response, the Indian military launched targeted operations against key Pakistani military infrastructure. While Pakistan's proposal for a ceasefire may be seen as a de-escalatory move, India's acceptance comes with a strong message: terrorism will not be tolerated, and consequences will persist even in times of reduced hostilities.

The Indus Water Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, has long served as a rare example of cooperation between the two hostile neighbors. However, citing continued cross-border terrorism and Pakistan’s refusal to engage in treaty reforms, India has suspended the agreement indefinitely. Officials emphasize that this is not a temporary diplomatic gesture but a strategic decision aimed at holding Pakistan accountable for sponsoring terrorism.

Civilian casualties and infrastructural damage from cross-border firing over recent weeks had raised serious humanitarian concerns, prompting calls for restraint. The ceasefire, therefore, provides a much-needed pause. Yet, it does not represent a thaw in relations. India has reiterated that any future terrorist attack emanating from Pakistani soil will be treated as an "Act of War"—a statement that underscores the gravity of the current security doctrine.

Despite the ceasefire, India is maintaining strict visa restrictions, a policy born out of long-standing security concerns. There is no indication of any easing in people-to-people movement, reflecting India’s cautious stance and firm resolve.

Conclusion

While the ceasefire marks a temporary pause in overt hostilities, it does not imply forgiveness or a reset in India-Pakistan relations. By keeping the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, India has sent a strong signal that peace cannot exist alongside terrorism. Pakistan may have secured a ceasefire, but the economic and diplomatic costs of supporting terrorism—evident in the suspension of the IWT—will continue to mount. The message is clear: Pahalgam will not be forgotten, and India will respond to terror with resolve, not concessions.

(Source: Mint, First Post, India TV)