Pakistan, Feb. 5 -- A fundamental aspect of the Kashmiri right to self-determination has been overlooked. Prolonged occupation does not confer ownership, and despite decades of illegal occupation, India does not own Kashmir's natural resources. These resources belong to the Kashmiri people and cannot be used or exploited without their consent. Once this principle is properly understood, the entire debate surrounding India's water aggression against Pakistan takes on a different meaning.

So far, discussion on India's water policies has largely focused on treaty obligations. The central argument has been that India cannot violate the Indus Waters Treaty, cannot unilaterally suspend or terminate it, and cannot deprive Pakistan of its share ...