There are also reports that China has warned Pakistan against attacking Indian hydroelectric projects in Kashmir. Such moves have led Beijing to warn Islamabad that retaliation against Pakistan would include heavy strikes against Pakistan’s big dams, such as Tarbela and Diamer–Basha. The dynamic underscored the tension of South Asia whose water security, energy development and military readiness were now increasingly linked.
China’s reported caution comes as India and Pakistan continue to grapple with their disputes over water resources and infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Hydroelectric projects in the region are essential to India’s energy supply and regarded by Pakistan as controversial because of their location on rivers that enter its territory. Pakistan’s ally China has long backed Islamabad in several regions. But the warning is suggestive of Beijing’s interest in the possible surge in conflict in the region. Any strike on Indian projects could set off a chain reaction, in which India would go on to attack Pakistan’s own water infrastructure, essential for agriculture and electricity generation as well as for daily life.
India will be inducting specialised munitions for such contingencies, the report also adds. They are said to be able to strike large infrastructure targets accurately. India prepares for these potential attacks and will let all understand that the country, as a leader of the hydroelectric sector in the Indo-Pacific and the Gulf of Aden region at large, is prepared if need be. India’s emphasis on enhancing its military to defend critical infrastructure underscores that water and energy security is essential to national defense. In Jammu and Kashmir, hydroelectric projects are more than power sources, they are emblems of India controlling the region’s resources. That made protecting them a strategic imperative.
Pakistan’s Tarbela Dam and the unfinished Diamer–Basha Dam are two great dams located next to each other. Tarbela is one of the largest dams in the world and provides irrigation water and electricity to millions of people. Diamer–Basha after it is finished, is expected to achieve a similar role in Pakistan’s energy and water security. It would be a grave threat against Pakistan’s economy and society if the dams were to come under attack. This is the reason China’s warning is important — it is an appreciation that escalation might be catastrophic to both sides.
China is especially notable for its role there. As a global power that makes investments in not only India but Pakistan as well, Beijing has an interest in preventing conflict that has the potential to upset regional stability. China has also heavily invested in the physical infrastructure of Pakistan via China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) (energy and water dependent projects). In warning Pakistan, China might be trying to avoid actions that would risk its own investments and destabilize South Asia. It also aligns with Beijing’s larger approach of balancing its own relations with both India and Pakistan without having a face-to-face showdown.
This case illustrates how major water and energy projects are turning into flashpoints South Asia has experienced. As resource pressures mount as a result of climate change, the fight over rivers and dams is likely only to grow. The message from China is a reminder that even allies understand the risks of escalation. For India, the addition of specialised munitions marks a new chapter in its defense strategy — where protection of the country’s infrastructure matters as much as its traditional military readiness. For Pakistan, the point is clear: targeting Indian projects could lead to dire consequences.
The warning by China to Pakistan, as reported in the last few days, serves as a stark reminder of the precarious balance in South Asia. Hydroelectric projects, dams, and water resources are no longer mere development matters — they are now at the heart of national security. The seriousness of the situation is shown by India’s preparation to retaliate and China’s cautious position on the matter. If things grow worse, the repercussions might prove catastrophic for both countries. The hope is that diplomacy will prevail and that restraint will rule in order to ensure that critical infrastructure remains safe and water, the lifeblood of millions, will not become a weapon of war.
