At an international forum in Doha, Qatar, India issued a strong rebuttal to comments made by Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari regarding Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling them an attempt to mislead the global community and distract from pressing developmental issues. Speaking at the World Summit for Social Development on November 5, 2025, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya criticized Zardari for using an international platform to propagate what India termed disinformation, while urging Pakistan to focus on its own domestic challenges rather than interfere in India’s internal affairs.

India’s Response at the Global Stage

Mandaviya stated unequivocally that India “takes strong objection to certain unjustified references made by President of Pakistan yesterday on India in its remarks.” The minister emphasized that Zardari’s comments on Kashmir and the IWT were an abuse of the international forum, designed to divert attention away from discussions on social development by promoting a false narrative against India.

On the issue of water, Mandaviya accused Pakistan of misusing the Indus Waters Treaty, highlighting a pattern of hostility and cross-border terrorism that, according to India, undermines the spirit of the treaty. “Pakistan has repeatedly misused the treaty mechanisms to obstruct India’s legitimate projects,” the minister said, underscoring India’s position that it is acting within its rights under the treaty, which was signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank. The IWT governs the use of the Indus and its tributaries, allocating the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—to India, while the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—are allocated to Pakistan. This division was established following the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent, which left both countries dependent on shared water resources.

Mandaviya further made it clear that Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal affairs, particularly in regard to Jammu and Kashmir, which is a constitutionally recognized Union Territory of India. The minister stressed that Pakistan’s remarks were particularly inappropriate given its continued involvement in acts of cross-border terrorism that target Indian citizens and security forces.

“Pakistan would do well to introspect and address its own serious challenges related to development,” Mandaviya said. “Its continued dependence on international handouts underscores the gap between rhetoric and reality in Islamabad.” In contrast, India’s development trajectory, he argued, reflects a nation transforming at scale, delivering measurable improvements in welfare, health, and infrastructure for its citizens.

India’s Development Achievements

Highlighting India’s progress over the past decade, Mandaviya presented a comprehensive picture of social and economic development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He pointed to persistent reforms, digital innovation, and the convergence of welfare programmes that have lifted approximately 250 million Indians out of multidimensional poverty since 2014.

Education and nutrition were cited as key areas of achievement. Today, 118 million schoolchildren benefit from nutritious mid-day meals, while over 800 million citizens enjoy food security through government schemes. Health security has been extended to 425 million Indians, and over 37 million low-income households have received housing under government initiatives. These achievements, Mandaviya emphasized, exemplify India’s commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promoted by the United Nations, reflecting the country’s broader agenda of inclusive growth under the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” – Together with all, development for all.

The minister’s statements were intended to showcase India’s development-first narrative, positioning the country as a global leader in social progress while portraying Pakistan’s international criticisms as attempts to obfuscate its own developmental shortcomings.

Zardari’s Claims

President Zardari, in his speech at the summit on November 4, had alleged that India was “violating” the Indus Waters Treaty, claiming that such actions constituted a form of weaponization that deprived Pakistanis of their rightful access to water. According to Zardari, India’s suspension of certain projects on rivers flowing into Pakistan following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which led to India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-based terror groups, was a direct threat to Pakistan’s water security.

Zardari asserted that these actions were depriving millions of Pakistanis of their right to water, framing the issue as both a humanitarian and geopolitical concern. He also drew a parallel between the situations in Kashmir and Palestine, describing them as “struggles that are two sides of the same coin,” where the people are fighting for their right to live with dignity.

The Indus Waters Treaty in Context

India and Pakistan have long had a complex relationship regarding the Indus river system, which forms the backbone of agriculture and water supply in both nations. Signed in 1960, the treaty was intended to provide a framework for cooperation and equitable sharing of resources. India maintains that it has consistently acted within the treaty’s provisions, including on projects like hydroelectric dams and irrigation channels, which are designed to meet domestic needs without infringing on Pakistan’s rights.

However, India argues that Pakistan has historically undermined the treaty through a combination of hostility, misuse of treaty mechanisms, and cross-border terrorism, which complicates bilateral water management. The suspension of certain projects following security incidents is, according to India, both justified and in line with international norms, reinforcing India’s stance that Zardari’s claims are politically motivated rather than grounded in legal or technical reality.

India’s Diplomatic Position

At the Doha summit, Mandaviya stressed that India’s response was not intended to escalate tensions but to clarify facts and set the record straight. By presenting a detailed account of its social and developmental achievements alongside a robust defense of its actions under the Indus Waters Treaty, India aimed to counter attempts to use global forums for political propaganda.

“India remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainable development and social welfare,” Mandaviya said. “We welcome international scrutiny and cooperation where appropriate, but Pakistan’s attempts to misuse forums to malign India’s progress are unacceptable.”

The minister’s remarks also served as a strategic reminder to the international community of India’s focus on domestic development and governance, in contrast to Pakistan’s reliance on external aid and handouts. Mandaviya’s speech highlighted India’s economic resilience, digital governance initiatives, and poverty alleviation measures, presenting a narrative of transformation that he suggested Pakistan could learn from rather than criticize.

Broader Implications

The exchange at the World Summit for Social Development reflects the enduring geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly over Kashmir and water-sharing issues. By addressing these concerns at a high-profile international forum, India sought to reinforce its narrative of responsible governance and adherence to international treaties, while framing Pakistan as a country attempting to deflect attention from its domestic challenges through misinformation.

India’s approach underscores the importance of soft power, diplomatic communication, and developmental diplomacy, leveraging achievements in welfare and social programs as a counterweight to external criticism. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s claims highlight the ongoing contestation over natural resources and territorial disputes, which remain central to bilateral relations in South Asia.

Conclusion

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s remarks at Doha mark a firm and strategic rebuttal to Pakistan’s allegations, emphasizing India’s development-first agenda, commitment to international treaty obligations, and rejection of external interference in its internal affairs. By highlighting tangible progress in poverty alleviation, nutrition, health, and housing, India positioned itself as a nation focused on inclusive growth, while urging Pakistan to address its own challenges rather than seek to undermine India on the global stage.

India’s strong response serves both as a defense against allegations and as a message to the international community that development, transparency, and adherence to treaties are guiding principles in India’s domestic and foreign policy. The incident reinforces the broader narrative of India’s emergence as a stable and progressive force in the region, capable of responding to external criticism with measured yet assertive diplomacy.

The confrontation over the Indus Waters Treaty and Kashmir at the Doha summit underscores the continuing tension between India and Pakistan but also highlights India’s emphasis on development, governance, and international cooperation, projecting a vision of a nation advancing through inclusive policies and transformative social programs.