Shehbaz Sharif Warns India of ‘Act of War’ Over Indus Waters at UN; Petal Gahlot Hits Back
- By Thetripurapost Desk, New York
- Sep 26, 2026
- 185
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a sharp warning to India during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), saying Islamabad would regard any attempt to stop, restrict or divert Pakistan’s share of the Indus River waters as an “act of war.”
The remarks brought the Indus Waters Treaty back into the centre of India-Pakistan tensions, alongside the long-running Kashmir dispute and allegations over cross-border terrorism.
India subsequently responded through Petal Gahlot, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, challenging Pakistan’s claims on Kashmir and highlighting terrorism, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, minority rights and the role of the military in Pakistan’s political system.
Shehbaz Sharif Warns India Over Indus River Waters
Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, Sharif criticised India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.
He argued that the river system is essential to Pakistan and maintained that India has no legal basis to interfere with Pakistan’s share of the waters.
Sharif warned that any move to stop, impede or divert those waters would be treated by Pakistan as an act of war.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, provides a framework for sharing the waters of the Indus river system between India and Pakistan. The dispute over its status has become a major point of contention between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
India placed the treaty in abeyance after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, while New Delhi has maintained that the move is connected to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
Kashmir Again Dominates India-Pakistan Exchange
Sharif also raised the Kashmir issue during his UN speech.
He argued that lasting peace in South Asia would require a resolution of the Kashmir dispute and referred to Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein.”
Pakistan has repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue at international forums, while India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and rejects Pakistan’s claims over the territory.
India used its right of reply to shift the focus towards Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Petal Gahlot said concerns about violence, arbitrary killings and denial of basic rights in the region should also receive international attention.
India Responds to Pakistan’s Terrorism Claims
Gahlot accused Pakistan of pursuing what India describes as a long-standing policy of cross-border terrorism.
She said India would continue to exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism and warned that terrorism emanating from Pakistan would have consequences.
The Indian response came against the backdrop of the continuing dispute between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack and the military confrontation of 2025.
India Brings Up Osama Bin Laden
India also referred to Osama bin Laden during its response at the UN.
Gahlot pointed to the fact that the al-Qaeda founder and 9/11 mastermind lived in Pakistan before he was killed in a US operation in Abbottabad in 2011.
The reference was used by India while challenging Pakistan’s criticism of other countries on terrorism and security issues.
Petal Gahlot Questions Military Influence in Pakistan
Another major element of India's response concerned Pakistan's political system.
Gahlot questioned the extent of civilian authority in Pakistan and argued that the country's military has a significant role in determining its political direction.
Her remarks formed part of a wider Indian rebuttal to Sharif's comments on democracy, human rights and governance.
India Raises Minority Rights and Religious Intolerance
India also highlighted concerns relating to religious minorities in Pakistan.
Gahlot referred to issues including blasphemy laws, religious intolerance and discrimination, arguing that Pakistan should address its own record while raising concerns about religious freedom elsewhere.
The exchange reflected the broader diplomatic contest between New Delhi and Islamabad over terrorism, minority rights and human rights.
‘Form 47 Government’ Remark Targets Shehbaz Sharif
Gahlot also referred to the expression “Form 47 government”, a term used by critics of Pakistan's political system in connection with the country's 2024 election and subsequent government formation.
The Indian diplomat used the phrase while questioning Pakistan's position on democratic values and governance.
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Sharif Credits Trump for Defusing 2025 India-Pakistan Crisis
During his UN address, Sharif also referred to the military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May 2025.
He praised US President Donald Trump for what he described as timely intervention when tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries had escalated.
Sharif said the region must avoid returning to a similar situation and linked long-term stability to resolving the Kashmir dispute.
Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab Also Feature in Speech
Sharif's address was not limited to India-Pakistan relations.
He described the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab as critical waterways for global trade and economic activity, arguing that they should remain open and should not become theatres of military confrontation.
According to Sharif, disruption of these maritime routes could have consequences extending beyond West Asia and affecting the wider global economy.
India-Pakistan Tensions Remain Focused on Water, Kashmir and Terrorism
The latest UN exchange has brought three long-standing disputes between India and Pakistan into renewed focus: the Indus Waters Treaty, Kashmir and cross-border terrorism.
While Sharif used the UN platform to challenge India's position on water sharing and Kashmir, India responded by highlighting Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, terrorism, minority rights and questions surrounding Pakistan's political system.
The sharply contrasting positions underline the continuing diplomatic divide between New Delhi and Islamabad, with the Indus waters dispute now adding another sensitive dimension to already strained bilateral relations
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