KKN Gurugram Desk | In a provocative statement, prominent Pakistani journalist Mushahid Hussain warned that if India attempts to block Pakistan’s water supply, China could retaliate by restricting India’s water resources as well. Hussain emphasized the strategic vulnerability by pointing out that both the Indus River and the Brahmaputra River originate from Tibet, a region currently under Chinese control.

Pakistan Raises Alarm Over India’s Water Strategy

Speaking to local media in Islamabad, Hussain stressed the critical dependency of Pakistan on the Indus River system and highlighted the geopolitical risks involved if water becomes a tool of conflict. “If India blocks our water, China has the capacity to block India’s water too,” he said. “The sources of both the Indus and Brahmaputra rivers lie in Tibet, controlled by China.”

The Indus River, essential for Pakistan’s agriculture and drinking water, begins from a stream named Sênggê Zangbo (locally referred to as Sin-ka-bab) near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. Similarly, the Brahmaputra River also originates in Tibet and flows into India before reaching Bangladesh.

Indus Waters Treaty Under Strain

This statement comes at a time when the historic Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan under the mediation of the World Bank, is facing renewed scrutiny. The treaty, considered a rare example of cooperation between the two neighbors, grants Pakistan control over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, while India controls the Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej.

However, tensions have escalated in recent years with India signaling intentions to utilize more of its share of the rivers, citing Pakistan’s alleged use of cross-border terrorism as a breach of bilateral trust.

China’s Strategic Leverage Over India’s Water Sources

China’s control over the Tibetan Plateau, known as the “Water Tower of Asia,” gives it a unique strategic advantage. The region is the source of several major rivers, including the Brahmaputra and the Sutlej, which are vital for India’s northeast and northern states.

There have been longstanding concerns within India about China’s dam-building projects on the upper reaches of these rivers. Analysts warn that in the event of heightened tensions, China could leverage water as a weapon — a scenario that is rarely discussed but increasingly relevant given today’s geopolitical climate.

Historical Context: Water as a Weapon

Water has been used historically as a tool of political pressure. In many global conflicts, control over water resources has either been a cause of conflict or a strategic advantage during warfare.

For South Asia, where water security is tightly linked to food security and livelihoods, any disruption to river flows could have catastrophic consequences.

Impact on Pakistan

For Pakistan, the situation is even more critical. The country is heavily dependent on the Indus River and its tributaries, with around 90% of its agriculture relying on irrigation fed by these water sources. A significant reduction in water flow could threaten food production, economic stability, and overall public health.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly raised alarms about India’s projects on rivers allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty, accusing India of attempting to starve Pakistan of water.

India’s Position: Treaty’s Legal Boundaries

India has consistently maintained that all of its activities on the rivers, including dam construction and water diversion projects, are in compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty.
India argues that the treaty allows for “non-consumptive” uses such as hydroelectric power generation, provided it does not significantly alter the flow of water into Pakistan.

Indian authorities have also expressed frustration over Pakistan’s frequent objections, viewing them as politically motivated and aimed at internationalizing bilateral issues.

China Factor: A New Dimension in Water Diplomacy

Mushahid Hussain’s remarks bring a new dimension to the ongoing dispute — the involvement of China.
If Beijing were to restrict or alter the flow of rivers into India, it could create severe water shortages in key Indian states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Experts note that while China has not explicitly threatened such action, its extensive dam-building along the Brahmaputra (called Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet) could serve as a de facto control mechanism if relations with India deteriorate further.

Geopolitical Implications for South Asia

The intersection of water security, territorial disputes, and regional rivalries makes South Asia one of the world’s most volatile zones concerning freshwater resources. The China-India-Pakistan triangle poses risks not only for bilateral relations but also for the broader stability of the region.

Analysts suggest that the threat of “water wars” is no longer theoretical but a growing reality if diplomatic mechanisms like the Indus Waters Treaty collapse under political pressure.

Global Concerns Over Water Conflicts

The international community has increasingly recognized water disputes as a major threat to peace and security.
Global institutions have called for cooperative water management agreements and transboundary river governance frameworks to avoid conflict escalation.

In this context, South Asia is often cited as a “flashpoint” for future water-based tensions if historical treaties are abandoned or militarized.

Mushahid Hussain’s controversial remarks may have been aimed at stirring domestic sentiment or pressuring India diplomatically. Nevertheless, they highlight a real and pressing challenge for the region: the urgent need for responsible water management and renewed diplomatic engagement.

As water scarcity deepens due to climate change and population growth, sustainable and peaceful solutions must be prioritized over threats and counter-threats.