ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office reminded India on Thursday of its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and cautioned that New Delhi’s own credibility would suffer if the accord was violated.

Speaking at the weekly media briefing, FO spokesman Nafees Zakaria said: “India has to abide by its international obligations, if it wants to be taken seriously by the international community.”

He was commenting on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks in which he had said that the water that “rightfully belongs to India” under the Indus Waters Treaty could not be allowed to go to Pakistan.

Mr Zakaria said the IWT was a binding agreement under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1969.

India has been, since the escalation of tensions after the Uri militant attack, cryptically indicating its intention to revisit the accord. Subtle threats from Delhi have upset Pakistani leadership, who fear that any change in the agreement could have disastrous consequences.

FO welcomes US president-elect’s willingness to play a role in resolving outstanding issues between Pakistan and India

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric had on Monday expressed the hope that the two countries would resolve the water issue themselves.

Secretary General Ban had himself last week mentioned the IWT as one of the “instruments promoting stability and peace”. Shared water resources, Mr Ban had said, often generated cooperation.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz would be visiting India on Sunday for attending the Heart of Asia ministerial meeting.

The government took the difficult decision of sending the adviser to attend the conference being co-hosted by India in Amritsar despite the situation on LoC where shelling by Indian troops has left 53 people dead, warnings from Delhi about revisiting IWT, and India’s role in scuttling Saarc summit that Pakistan was hosting.

“Pakistan is participating in Heart of Asia conference as we are committed to contributing towards all efforts and initiatives that are aimed at bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. Despite all negativity our participation in Heart of Asia conference is quite significant and should be seen as such,” the spokesman said.

Responding to a question about PM Sharif’s telephonic conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump, Mr Zakaria said that Pakistan looked forward to closely working with the new administration.

“The US president-elect’s intention to visit to Pakistan would be warmly welcomed,” he said.

“Pakistan welcomes Mr Trump’s willingness to play a role in resolving the outstanding issues between Pakistan and India, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2016