Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Founding and Managing Partner of ABS & Co and a leading practitioner of international law, recently appeared on Pakistan TV Digital to discuss the legal and geopolitical implications of India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance and the broader consequences of such action under international law.
During the interview, Mr. Soofi explained that the suspension of a bilateral treaty, coupled with hostile conduct and the downgrading of diplomatic engagement, carries significant legal implications. He observed that such measures indicate an intention to depart from normal treaty-based relations and move towards a belligerent framework of engagement. According to Mr. Soofi, the decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance cannot be viewed in isolation but must be assessed within the wider context of regional security and state conduct.
Mr. Soofi further noted that the implications of treaty abeyance extend beyond water governance and resource management. He argued that the international community should evaluate the issue as part of a broader pattern affecting regional peace and stability rather than through the narrow lens of a water-sharing dispute. In his view, the matter raises concerns that engage principles of international peace and security under the United Nations Charter.
Addressing the position of Pakistan as the lower riparian state, Mr. Soofi highlighted that the treaty has historically provided a legal framework governing the rights and obligations of both states concerning the shared river system. He noted that the suspension of the treaty framework creates uncertainty regarding upstream development projects and undermines the legal assurances upon which downstream water security depends.
Discussing the legal consequences of treaty abeyance, Mr. Soofi stated that actions inconsistent with international legal obligations may give rise to state responsibility and entitle the affected state to pursue lawful responses recognised under international law. He observed that Pakistan is presently relying upon diplomatic and legal avenues, including formal communications and protests, to assert its position and seek compliance with applicable legal obligations.
Mr. Soofi also addressed the range of measures available under international law in circumstances involving serious and continuing violations, noting that international law recognises both non-coercive and, in limited circumstances, coercive countermeasures subject to strict legal requirements. He emphasised that the objective of any response must remain the restoration of legal compliance and the preservation of regional stability.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Soofi called for greater international engagement with the issue, particularly by institutions responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. He stressed that the situation warrants careful consideration by the international community and that diplomatic efforts should focus on restoring an effective legal framework, whether through the revival of the existing treaty, negotiated reforms, or other mutually agreed mechanisms capable of ensuring long-term regional stability.
The interview forms part of the continuing public discourse on the future of the Indus Waters Treaty and the role of international law in addressing disputes involving shared natural resources, treaty obligations and regional security.
This article provides a summary of the interview delivered by Mr. Ahmer Bilal Soofi. You can watch the full broadcast below, courtesy of Pakistan TV Digital.
