Russia says concerned about unresolved Pakistan-India water dispute

Journalists from the Komi Republic attended the briefing in person, while journalists based in Moscow participated online. During the briefing, Maria Zakharova outlined Moscow’s position on important regional and international issues, Russian foreign policy, bilateral relations and various global conflicts.

She also answered questions from journalists. On this occasion, Dunya News correspondent Shahid Ghumman asked Maria Zakharova two questions concerning the Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India and Pakistan’s chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The Dunya News correspondent asked that the Permanent Court of Arbitration had confirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty remained in force and could not be suspended unilaterally. However, India had rejected the court’s ruling.

He asked how Russia assessed the decision and whether Moscow believed that international agreements concerning the shared use of water resources should be observed by all parties.

Responding to the question, Maria Zakharova said Russia was concerned over the unresolved water issue, as well as other aspects of tensions between Pakistan and India, two countries that maintain friendly relations with Russia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Russia considered it important to resolve such disputes through mutually respectful dialogue, while taking the interests of both countries into account. In his second question, Dunya News correspondent Shahid Ghumman noted that Pakistan had assumed the SCO chairmanship for 2026-2027 and would host the organization’s next summit in Islamabad.

He asked what Russia expected from Pakistan’s chairmanship and in which areas Moscow saw the greatest potential for deepening cooperation with Pakistan during this period. Maria Zakharova replied that Pakistan was chairing the SCO Council of Heads of State for the first time.

She said that, traditionally, this important and responsible mission was aimed at further developing and deepening multifaceted cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and strengthening its international standing. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said special attention during the chairmanship would be given to ensuring continuity in implementing the SCO’s fundamental documents, including the organization’s Development Strategy until 2035.

Maria Zakharova said every country holding the organization’s chairmanship also makes its own contribution and introduces its priorities into the process of achieving the SCO’s common objectives.

She expressed confidence that Pakistan would soon present its vision for coordinated action during 2026-2027 in the political, security, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields., Pakistan is also expected to identify practical measures aimed at ensuring stability and sustainable growth across the SCO region.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that during the SCO summit held in Bishkek on September 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with the leaders of other SCO member states, had expressed readiness to support and assist Pakistan in successfully carrying out its chairmanship.

She said Russia was open to effective and productive joint work during Pakistan’s chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Maria Zakharova wished Pakistan a successful chairmanship and expressed Russia’s best wishes for the country.