“Water Must Not Become a Weapon Against Pakistan – Chinese Analyst Victor Gao Issues Stern Warning to India”
In the intricate geopolitical landscape of South Asia, water has often remained a silent yet significant player. The rivers that flow across borders are not just channels of life and agriculture—they are also potent symbols of diplomacy, trust, and shared futures. In a recent and sharp critique of India’s alleged water aggression towards Pakistan, prominent Chinese political analyst Victor Gao issued a clear and uncompromising warning to New Delhi: “Do not turn water into a weapon.”
Victor Gao, a respected voice in international relations and a senior advisor to several think tanks in China, stated that any such hostile manipulation of water resources violates international norms and could destabilize the already fragile balance in South Asia.
India’s Water Diplomacy Under Scrutiny
At the heart of the issue lies the Indus Waters Treaty—a historic agreement brokered by the World Bank in 1960 between India and Pakistan. While the treaty has survived wars and decades of animosity, tensions have escalated in recent years, with Indian officials and media occasionally suggesting the possibility of reviewing or leveraging the treaty as a tool of pressure against Pakistan.
Gao warned that such a move would not only breach international law but also set a dangerous precedent for other water-sharing regions across the globe. “Weaponizing water,” he said, “is equivalent to declaring an invisible war—one that harms civilians, agriculture, and future generations.”
A Chinese Perspective on Stability
China, sharing borders with both India and Pakistan and being an upper riparian state in several key river systems, holds a vested interest in regional water stability. Victor Gao emphasized that any action by India to curtail water to Pakistan would be viewed not just as a bilateral issue but as a regional threat to peace and cooperation.
“China believes in peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit,” Gao remarked. “India must act responsibly and not inflame tensions over such a critical and sensitive resource.”
International Ramifications
If India attempts to alter the water dynamics unilaterally, it could provoke international backlash, disrupt South Asian cooperation frameworks, and possibly invite third-party mediation. Furthermore, environmental and humanitarian organizations are concerned that depriving Pakistan of vital river flows could lead to ecological damage, food insecurity, and displacement of populations.
Victor Gao’s statement serves as a geopolitical alarm bell—reminding all stakeholders that water, once politicized, can erode the foundations of peace. “Rivers must flow freely, not become tools of coercion,” he stated. “India has a choice to make: diplomacy or domination.”
Conclusion: Choose Cooperation Over Conflict
As climate change intensifies water scarcity across the globe, nations must resist the temptation to weaponize shared resources. Victor Gao’s message is not just to India but to all countries: Safeguard water as a human right, not a political lever. In South Asia, where millions depend on transboundary rivers for survival, peace depends on preserving the flow—not obstructing it.
