Pakistan has issued an unprecedented nuclear warning to India following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), marking a dangerous escalation in tensions after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, explicitly threatened to use the “full spectrum of power, both conventional and nuclear” if India launches military strikes or interferes with Pakistan’s water supply.
In an interview with Russian broadcaster RT, Jamali claimed Pakistan possesses intelligence about planned Indian military action. He termed India’s IWT suspension as an “act of war,” warning that any attempt to divert Indus River waters would trigger a forceful response. The warning was reinforced by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who vowed to target any Indian infrastructure violating the water treaty.
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The nuclear rhetoric coincided with Pakistan’s test launch of the Abdali surface-to-surface missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads up to 450 kilometers. The Pakistani military described it as routine testing, but Indian security analysts view it as deliberate saber-rattling during the crisis.
Diplomatic relations have frozen completely since the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. India has imposed a total trade embargo, banning Pakistani goods and denying port access to Pakistani ships. Pakistan retaliated with mirror restrictions, and both nations closed the Attari-Wagah border crossing, severing one of the last remaining people-to-people contact points.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, had survived three major wars but now stands suspended. India cites Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism as justification, while Pakistan claims the move threatens its agricultural survival. Experts warn water disputes carry higher escalation risks than typical military confrontations.
Both nations possess approximately 170 nuclear warheads each but follow different doctrines. India maintains a “no first use” policy, while Pakistan reserves the right to employ nuclear weapons first, especially against conventional military threats. This asymmetry increases risks of miscalculation during crises.
Historically, India and Pakistan have stepped back from the brink through backchannel diplomacy, but current communication channels appear nonfunctional. The explicit nuclear warning from a senior Pakistani diplomat represents a worrying departure from past crisis management approaches.
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International observers note the situation remains volatile but not yet irreversible. The United Nations and major powers have called for restraint, though no third-party mediation has been accepted by both sides. With military forces on high alert and diplomatic ties severed, the coming weeks will test both nations’ conflict resolution mechanisms.
As tensions persist, the global community watches closely, aware that any escalation between nuclear-armed rivals could have catastrophic consequences beyond South Asia. The water dispute adds a new dimension to the longstanding Kashmir conflict, potentially creating more intractable conditions for future negotiations.
Disclaimer: This report is based on official statements and media interviews. The nuclear posture described represents declared policies, not immediate threats of use.
Source: IndianDefenseNews
