Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised India-Pakistan relations and the Indus Waters Treaty during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. He said that any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s share of the waters would be treated by Pakistan as an “act of war”.

Sharif said water should not be weaponised and that rivers should provide water to nations. He also warned India against making any such move regarding Pakistan’s share of the waters.

During his address, Sharif also raised the Kashmir issue. He described Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein” and said that, in Pakistan’s view, a “just and fair” resolution of the Kashmir dispute was necessary for lasting peace in South Asia.

Sharif Questions India’s Decision on Indus Waters Treaty

The Pakistani Prime Minister described India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance as having no legal basis. He said Pakistan’s position on the continued validity of the treaty had received support from UN experts and proceedings at the Court of Arbitration.

Sharif said the shared waters of the Indus River system were vital not only for Pakistan but for the wider region. He reiterated that any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s share of the waters would be treated as an act of war.

Kashmir Issue Also Raised at UN

Sharif also referred to Kashmir during his address and called for what Pakistan describes as a just and fair solution to the dispute. He said lasting peace in South Asia required a resolution of the Kashmir issue.

India has consistently rejected Pakistan’s claims regarding Kashmir and maintains its position on the issue.

In his nearly 23-minute speech, Sharif also referred to the India-Pakistan conflict of 2025 and several other regional issues. Current reports of his address confirm that he revisited the 2025 conflict while discussing regional security and Kashmir.