Can India really stop river water from flowing into Pakistan?

Is it possible for to prevent river water from entering Pakistan? Thes

The sharing of river waters from the Indus River system is governed by the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which was signed in 1960 by India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank. The treaty states that India retains rights to the three eastern rivers, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, while Pakistan controls the three western rivers, Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. The treaty has survived wars and political tensions, but recent developments and heated rhetoric have led to questions: Can India really stop river water from flowing into Pakistan?
Legal and Treaty Boundaries

Under the IWT, India is allowed to use the waters of the western rivers for limited purposes such as irrigation, domestic use, and hydroelectric power — as long as it doesn't obstruct or store water beyond the permitted capacity. This means that legally, India cannot unilaterally stop the flow of water to Pakistan without breaching the treaty. India's image could be hurt and diplomatic retaliation could ensue if Pakistan makes an appeal to international forums. But the treaty also lets India use more of its share of the eastern rivers. Experts point out that India hasn’t exploited the full potential of these rivers, with large volumes of water still flowing into Pakistan due to inadequate storage and infrastructure. In theory, if India develops more dams, canals, and barrages within its rights, it can significantly reduce the flow of water into Pakistan — not by stopping it illegally, but by utilizing what is rightfully hers.

Geographical and technological viability From a technical point of view, it takes a long time and a lot of money to build new infrastructure to store or divert water. To fully utilize its share, India would need to construct storage dams and diversion canals, particularly on the Ravi and Beas rivers. India has already started working on some projects, such as the Shahpur Kandi dam, Ujh multipurpose project, and the revival of the Ravi-Beas link. These projects are within India's rights and are intended to prevent unused water from flowing into Pakistan. However, if water were to be diverted or stopped from western rivers like the Chenab or Jhelum, it would be against the treaty, pose a threat of severe flooding or disruption, and international condemnation would follow. Political Will and Recent Statements

The idea of "stopping water" to Pakistan has gained popularity in Indian political discourse, especially after terror attacks linked to Pakistan-based groups. Indian leaders, at times, have warned of reconsidering the treaty, calling it too generous to Pakistan.
In 2016, after the Uri attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Blood and water cannot flow together." This led to the review of the treaty and acceleration of dam projects. However, India stopped short of breaching the treaty, indicating that while the political will to use more water exists, outright violation isn’t considered a viable option.

In 2019, after the Pulwama attack, India again vowed to stop “wasting” its share of water by letting it flow into Pakistan. It was clarified later that India would only utilize what the treaty allows.
International and Environmental Concerns
India is a responsible signatory to the IWT. Any breach could damage its international standing and give Pakistan a strong reason to seek international arbitration. Moreover, stopping a river can have environmental consequences for both nations. River ecosystems, agriculture, and communities on both sides depend on continuous flow, and sudden changes could be disastrous.
In addition, a significant change in river flow may result in an increase in military conflict. Pakistan views any interference with water as an existential threat, given its dependence on agriculture

Conclusion:-
In reality, India cannot legally or practically stop the flow of river water into Pakistan beyond what the Indus Waters Treaty permits. However, India can and is working toward utilizing its full share of water — especially from the eastern rivers — to minimize wastage. Stopping water from western rivers would mean violating an international treaty, risking diplomatic fallout, and potentially destabilizing the region.
Thus, while India has limited options to reduce water flowing into Pakistan legally, a total stoppage remains neither feasible nor advisable under current international and legal frameworks.