Russian expert Roxolana calls India’s water threat illegal

Dr Roxolana Zigon has said that India's statement about depriving Pakistan of water constitutes a violation of international law and reflects an attempt to use water as a political weapon

Dr Roxolana Zigon has said that India’s statement about depriving Pakistan of water constitutes a violation of international law and reflects an attempt to use water as a political weapon.

Addressing a seminar in Islamabad, she stated that the Indus Waters Treaty remains the foundation for the fair distribution of water resources in the region.

According to Dr Roxolana Zigon, more than 90 percent of Pakistan’s agriculture depends on river water, while 21 major hydropower projects in the country are linked to the Indus River system.

She warned that India could harm Pakistan’s agricultural sector by altering water flows and noted that Pakistan had previously sent several protest letters to India over unusual water flows in the Chenab River.

The Russian expert said that the construction of dams in upstream areas by India could increase instability in the region. Under the Indus Waters Treaty, India has rights over the eastern rivers, while Pakistan is entitled to use the waters of the western rivers.

She further stated that the Permanent Indus Commission remains an important and effective platform for resolving disputes related to shared water resources.

Dr Roxolana Zigon said India’s unilateral policies are damaging international trust and emphasized that maintaining the Indus Waters Treaty is essential for peace and stability in South Asia.

She cautioned that weakening the treaty for political purposes would be a dangerous step, as nearly the entire population of Pakistan is connected in one way or another to the Indus River system.

According to her, cooperation over water resources is the key to ensuring peace, stability, and sustainable relations in the region.

The Russian expert also described as illegal the statement made by an Indian minister claiming that Pakistan would not receive “even a single drop of water” in the coming years.