Transboundary waterway shaping South and Central Asia
Pakistan has warned that threats to its sovereignty will be met with a strong response, as protests mark independence commemorations and a new defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey surfaces. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasizes Pakistan’s aim for peace but confirms a firm stance on water and security amid ongoing regional tensions.
A cluster of reports flag growing climate risks, highlighting El Niño-driven rainfall shifts, aid cuts, and innovative water solutions. Pakistan and Somalia face stressed water systems and rising malnutrition as drought and floods intensify, while Rwanda advances climate-health warning systems.
The International Court of Arbitration has ruled that the Indus Waters Treaty remains fully in force, obliging India to limit construction on the Ratle hydroelectric project in Kashmir. Both sides remain locked in a long-running dispute over water-sharing between India and Pakistan, with a neutral expert due by mid-2027 to assess project compliance.