Indus Waters Treaty Suspension: Vedic Astrology Insights on India-Pakistan Water Clash

Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people—mostly tourists—the Indian government announced on April 23, 2025, that it was placing the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 with Pakistan in abeyance, meaning a temporary suspension of its obligations. This unprecedented move, the first such suspension since the treaty’s signing, was justified by India as a response to Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism.

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, and made effective retrospectively from April 1, 1960, allocates the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan, while permitting India limited non-consumptive use of the latter. The retrospective date was aligned with agricultural and fiscal cycles, legitimized early infrastructure funding, and addressed interim water usage.

In 1960, India had hesitated to sign the treaty due to strategic and domestic concerns, particularly regarding the constraints it placed on development in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. However, it eventually agreed under World Bank mediation, international pressure, and economic incentives. The 2025 suspension reflects longstanding Indian frustrations—voiced as early as the 1960 parliamentary debates—over perceived inequities that favored Pakistan.

Using Vedic Astrology, I will examine the horoscopes of India and Pakistan to analyze the events surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty’s suspension in April 2025, drawing on their natal charts, transits, and dasha periods.

Why Did the Suspension Happen on April 23, 2025?

The key question is why the Indus Waters Treaty was suspended on April 23, 2025, and Vedic astrology provides a clear explanation through Pakistan’s chart.

In mundane astrology, the 4th house governs irrigation systems, and the Moon signifies rivers, oceans, and water resources. In Pakistan’s horoscope, the Moon, as the 4th lord, resides in the 3rd house (12th from the 4th, denoting loss), while the 3rd lord Mercury, placed in the 4th house, occupies Mrityu Bhaga (a death-inflicting degree), precisely reflecting the loss of water access due to the treaty’s abeyance. Additionally, the Vimshottari Dasha on April 23, 2025, was Venus-Mercury-Moon, with the Antar Dashalord Mercury in the 4th house and the Pratyantar Dasha lord Moon in the 3rd house, reinforcing the astrological trigger for this event.

The 1948 Water Dispute

In April 1948, India briefly halted water flow to Pakistan from the Sutlej River, citing maintenance needs, intensifying the 1948 water dispute. Pakistan was then under the Vimshottari Dasha of Rahu-Mars-Saturn. The Antar Dasha lord Mars, as Lagna and 8th lord, conjunct with the Moon (symbolizing irrigation and water) in the 3rd house ,12^thfrom 4^th House (denoting loss), was aspected by Jupiter. The Pratyantar Dasha lord Saturn, representing restriction, joined Mercury in Mrityu Bhaga (a death-inflicting degree) in the 4th house (governing irrigation and water), clearly explaining the disruption of water access.

Why Did the 1960 Treaty Seem to Favor Pakistan?

The perception that the Indus Waters Treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, favored Pakistan can be examined through Vedic astrology. On that day, Pakistan was under the Vimshottari Dasha of Jupiter-Moon-Jupiter, as the 9th lord (luck, law, foreign affairs) and 12th lord (foreign entities), aspects the Moon (representing irrigation and water) in the 3rd house. Furthermore, Jupiter, the Dasha lord, had transited into Sagittarius, Pakistan’s 9th house (fortune, treaties), conjoining Saturn (symbolizing law and structure). This configuration strongly suggests a legal agreement, shaped by foreign mediation, that enhanced Pakistan’s water security.

India’s Perspective in 1960

On September 19, 1960, when the Indus Waters Treaty was signed, Bharat was under the Vimshottari Dasha of Saturn-Rahu-Rahu. Rahu, symbolizing illusion and foreign influence, occupies the Lagna, while its sign lord, Venus, is in the 3rd house[12^th from 4^thHouse , loss] conjunct the 4th lord Sun (representing irrigation). This configuration indicates a loss of water resources for the nation under foreign pressure (Rahu). Additionally, Jupiter, transiting as the 8th lord (humiliation, loss) in the 8th house, aspects the 4th house (irrigation systems), reinforcing the perceived setback to Bharat’swater interests. The Dasha Lord Saturn [ 9^th Lord , 10^th Lord] was also transiting in 8^thHouse from Lagna hinting towards loss of fortunes .

Who Is Responsible for the 2025 Abeyance?

To forecast the future of the Indus Waters Treaty, we must first astrologically determine responsibility for its abeyance in April 2025. In mundane astrology, the 6th house governs the army, and the 10th from the 6th, the 3rd house, signifies the army chief. In Pakistan’s horoscope, Mercury, the 3rd lord (army chief), occupies Mrityu Bhaga in the 4th house (irrigation and water bodies), directly implicating General Asim Munir in the events precipitating the abeyance as the Pakistan under Vimshottari Dasha of Venus-Mercury-Moon . The Mercury Antar Dasha in Mrityu Bhaga, extending until October 26, 2026, indicates slim prospects for resolution. However, the Jupiter Pratyantar Dasha, from December 28, 2025, to May 15, 2026, suggests Pakistan may pursue intervention by the World Bank or other international bodies. The Ketu Antar Dasha, starting October 26, 2026, with its lord Mars in the 3rd house (conjunct the Moon, symbolizing water bodies, in the 12th from the 4th house, indicating loss), predicts continued water access challenges for Pakistan.

Mars, under the aspect of Jupiter, the 9th lord (law, foreign affairs) and 12th lord (foreign entities), hints at international pressure on India to honor the treaty.

Future of the Treaty

The treaty’s future remains uncertain. Until October 2026, Pakistan’s Mercury AntarDasha indicates stalled progress. The Jupiter Pratyantar period (December 2025–May 2026) may bring diplomatic efforts, possibly involving the World Bank. Post-2026, the Ketu Antar Dasha between 26october 2026 to 26December 2027 ,could worsen Pakistan’s water issues, but global pressure might push India to reconsider. The treaty, a rare success in India-Pakistan ties, faces risks but may survive if international mediation prevails.

Conclusion  

The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty in April 2025, triggered by the Pahalgamattack, highlights deep tensions between India and Pakistan. Vedic astrology points to Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, as a key figure in the events, with planetary influences showing ongoing water access challenges for Pakistan until at least October 2026. Pakistan may pursue World Bank or international intervention from December 28, 2025, to May 15, 2026, but the treaty’s future remains uncertain. International pressure could push India to reconsider, but water disputes will remain a flashpoint. The treaty, once a symbol of cooperation, now faces a critical test, and only diplomacy can ensure its survival.

Published in Express Star Teller July 2025

Written and Researched By Sunil Dutt