No Indus Waters Treaty Concessions Or Track II Diplomacy With Pakistan: Govt Sources | Exclusive

Last Updated:June 28, 2026, 16:11 IST

Sources said the government's stance on engagement with Pakistan continues to be firm, and there is no policy shift or dilution of existing agreements

Top government sources have refuted reports suggesting that recent interactions between India and Pakistan amount to Track II diplomacy, calling claims on Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) concessions misleading and factually incorrect.

According to sources, the Government of India has not authorised or backed any official Track II engagement with Pakistan. They also categorically ruled out any relaxation or concessions under the Indus Water Treaty, maintaining that India’s position remains unchanged regardless of ongoing airspace issues or other bilateral tensions.

Sources said the government’s stance on engagement with Pakistan continues to be firm, and there is no policy shift or dilution of existing agreements.

TRACK II DIPLOMACY

Clarifying the nature of Track II diplomacy, sources said genuine Track II initiatives involve structured dialogue through government-nominated or officially recognised panels. Independent conferences, seminars and summits organised by think tanks or non-governmental organisations do not qualify as official diplomatic channels.

According to the sources, various think tanks and NGOs regularly host conferences attended by participants from India, Pakistan and other countries. Serving or former officials may participate in such events in their personal capacities, but these interactions take place without formal government direction, endorsement or mandate.

Sources further said that citizens and individuals from both countries are free to interact on personal or academic platforms. However, such engagements carry no official status, government approval or diplomatic mandate, and therefore should not be interpreted as backchannel talks or Track II diplomacy.

Top government sources also stressed that neither the Indian nor the Pakistani embassies are involved in facilitating these unofficial interactions, underscoring that they are entirely independent of any formal diplomatic process.

THE INDUS WATERS TREATY

India temporarily suspended its participation in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on April 23, 2025, placing the agreement in abeyance. This historic decision followed a major terrorist attack on unarmed civilians and tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which New Delhi linked directly to Pakistan-backed proxy groups.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs declared that the treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan “credibly and irreversibly" dismantles its cross-border terrorist infrastructure. Citing the geopolitical doctrine that “blood and water cannot flow together," India argues that Pakistan cannot expect unilateral adherence to a cooperation treaty while executing proxy violence.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the suspension.

Following the suspension, India aggressively fast-tracked major run-of-the-river hydropower and water diversion projects on the western rivers (such as the Chenab and Ravi), including sediment removal at the Salal Power Station.

About the Author

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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