India Clears Dulhasti Hydel Project on Chenab; Pakistan Cries "Water Weaponization"

• India approved the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab river in December 2025, aiming to boost energy security.
• The project proceeds after India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in April 2025, following a terror attack, removing prior notification obligations to Pakistan.
• Pakistan vehemently protests, calling it "weaponization of waters" and a "flagrant violation" of the IWT, which allocated Chenab's waters to Pakistan.
• Former federal minister Sherry Rehman stated India's unilateral action undermines Pakistan's water rights and threatens regional peace, alleging erratic water flows.
• Dulhasti Stage-II is part of India's broader strategy to expedite hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir and assert control over Indus basin resources.

Why It Matters: India's Dulhasti project on Chenab sparks Pakistan's fury over IWT suspension and water rights.