Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned India against taking any steps that could affect Pakistan’s water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty, declaring that “every single drop” of the country’s water is a red line. Addressing an event in Islamabad on Thursday, Sharif said Pakistan wanted peace but would respond strongly to any challenge to its sovereignty.
“Every single drop of Pakistan’s water is a red line,” Sharif said, warning that any attempt to affect Islamabad’s water rights would draw a direct response.
Sharif also claimed that Pakistan had “defeated” India during the May 2025 conflict and warned that any future confrontation would face an even stronger response.
Sharif Praises Trump for May 2025 Ceasefire
The Pakistan prime minister also praised US President Donald Trump for his role in helping broker the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May 2025. Trump announced on May 10, 2025, that India and Pakistan had agreed to an “immediate ceasefire” following diplomatic engagement. Sharif later thanked Trump for his “leadership and proactive role,” saying Pakistan appreciated Washington’s efforts in facilitating the outcome.
India, however, has maintained that the ceasefire was reached through direct discussions between New Delhi and Islamabad, and has rejected the claim that it resulted from third-party mediation.
Kashmir, Water Dominate Sharif’s Remarks
Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, linking the issue to the wider tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The Indus Waters Treaty has remained a major point of contention between India and Pakistan since New Delhi announced in April 2025 that it was holding the agreement in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Sharif said Pakistan would not accept any move aimed at depriving the country of its water and warned that Islamabad would respond to any such action.