Pakistan on Monday said that India violated the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by conveying a flood warning through diplomatic channels instead of the mandated Indus Waters Commission.

A Foreign Office spokesperson stated that New Delhi alerted Islamabad about potential flooding in the Tawi River at Jammu on August 24, but did so via its High Commission in Islamabad rather than the treaty’s institutional framework.

“This communication was not made under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, but through diplomatic means, which constitutes a breach of international law,” the spokesperson said.

The Foreign Office added that India must ensure full compliance with all provisions of the treaty, warning that its suspension or unilateral deviations could have “serious negative implications for peace in South Asia“.

Sources confirmed that Pakistan issued immediate warnings after receiving India’s alert at 10am on August 24.

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with World Bank mediation, governs the use of rivers between the two neighbours and has withstood multiple conflicts.

The latest development comes months after India unilaterally suspended participation in the IWT following the Pahalgam incident.

However, the Indian action was rebuffed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which ruled in favour of Pakistan, affirming that India cannot undermine the treaty’s jurisdiction.

Following the ruling, Pakistan reiterated its call for India to resume normal treaty operations and abide by its international commitments.