Shivi Development Society (SDS) organised a side event on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, bringing together international experts and human rights advocates to discuss community water rights, transboundary water governance and the future of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The event, titled “Community Water Rights and the Imperative to Keep the Indus Water Treaty in Abeyance,” was held on September 17, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Hotel Royal Manotel on Rue de Lausanne in Geneva, Switzerland.

The discussions focused on the changing circumstances surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty, particularly the decision in 2025 to keep the agreement in abeyance. Participants examined a range of issues linked to the Indus Basin, including growing water scarcity, demographic changes, climate vulnerability and increasing pressure on shared water resources. The speakers also discussed the broader implications of managing rivers that cross international boundaries. The conversation covered regional water governance, emerging hydropolitical tensions and the importance of developing approaches that ensure sustainable, equitable and climate-resilient access to water.

According to a press note released after the programme, participants expressed support for India's decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. They argued that the issue needs to be considered not only from the perspective of bilateral relations but also in connection with India's security concerns and the interests of communities dependent on the Indus river system.

Dr. Siegfried O. Wolf, Director of Research at the South Asia Democratic Forum in Brussels, said India was within its sovereign rights to seek a review of the 1960 treaty. He argued that, in his assessment, Pakistan's conduct had affected what he described as the agreement's object, purpose and spirit. Wolf also discussed what he characterised as structural imbalances in the treaty, referring to the allocation of Indus waters, India's financial contribution to the Indus Development Fund and restrictions associated with storage and infrastructure. He also referred to disputes concerning Indian hydropower projects, including Baglihar, Kishenganga and Ratle.

On Pakistan's concerns over Indian projects on the western rivers, Wolf rejected the claim that India was simply blocking the flow of water. He described this as an “engineering myth” and argued that the Indian hydropower projects concerned are primarily non-consumptive, with water continuing downstream after power generation. Wolf further pointed to domestic factors behind Pakistan's water challenges, including agricultural practices, landholding patterns, urbanisation and ageing canal infrastructure.

London-based human rights activist Arif Aajakia emphasised the importance of access to water as a fundamental human right. He raised concerns about the distribution of water resources within Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, and connected the wider debate to longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan. Mamun Rahman, a Geneva-based human rights expert associated with the International Forum for Secular Bangladesh, highlighted questions surrounding the distribution of natural resources within Pakistan. He argued that water-sharing discussions should also take into account the concerns of communities in provinces such as Sindh and Balochistan.

Rahman called for a broader discussion on transboundary water governance, noting that decisions involving shared rivers can have significant consequences for communities located on both sides of national borders.

Lakhu Luvana, Chairperson of the World Sindhi Congress in London, said communities in Sindh and Balochistan have longstanding concerns regarding the use and distribution of natural resources, including water. He argued that these concerns extend beyond the functioning or existence of any particular bilateral treaty. The event was chaired by Narender Kumar, Executive Director of Shivi Development Society, who said the debate over the Indus Waters Treaty should not be restricted to the relationship between India and Pakistan. Kumar said the issue also involves recognising the water rights and legitimate needs of communities that depend on the Indus river system, including those in India.

“The question of keeping the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance is not only about a bilateral agreement between two countries. It is also about recognizing the rights and legitimate water needs of local communities that depend on the Indus river system, including communities in India,” Kumar said. He emphasised the importance of placing human rights, equitable access to water, community participation and sustainable water management at the centre of discussions concerning transboundary rivers.

The Geneva side event brought together the treaty debate and wider concerns surrounding water scarcity, climate change, demographic pressures, community rights and regional water governance in the Indus Basin. The listed speakers included Dr. Siegfried O. Wolf of the South Asia Democratic Forum, Arif Aajakia, human rights activist from London, Biro Diawara of RADDHO and Interfaith International in Geneva, and Dr. Lakhu Luvana of the World Sindhi Congress in London, subject to confirmation. Narender Kumar of Shivi Development Society served as the moderator.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Pakistan has increased the bounty on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar to PKR 70 lakh and included him in the Federal Investigation Agency’s latest Red Book of most-wanted terrorists, bringing renewed attention to the long-running mystery surrounding his whereabouts. The move comes ahead of the Financial Action Task Force’s next plenary in Paris from October 26 to 30.

The FIA had announced a reward of PKR 50 lakh for information leading to Azhar’s arrest in 2021. The latest increase comes five years later, with Pakistani authorities continuing to maintain that the JeM founder is not in the country. Pakistan has previously claimed that Azhar left for Afghanistan, while Indian intelligence sources have put forward a different assessment, saying he could still be hiding inside Pakistan. India Today reported that intelligence agencies have assessed that Azhar may be in Nawabshah in Sindh, although his location has not been independently established publicly.

The timing of the announcement has also drawn attention because of the upcoming FATF meeting. Pakistan was placed under increased monitoring by the international watchdog from 2018 until 2022, and its latest decision to raise the reward for a UN-designated terrorist comes amid renewed scrutiny of the country’s action against militant networks. Indian officials have argued that such listings need to be accompanied by verifiable enforcement measures. Those assessments reflect the Indian government’s position.

The development surrounding Azhar comes at the same time as fresh reports about the reconstruction of the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Markaz Subhanallah complex in Bahawalpur. The facility was targeted during India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025, and Indian authorities had described it as an important centre for JeM’s training, indoctrination and operational activities. Recent reports say substantial reconstruction work has since taken place at the site.

The rebuilding has added to questions about the continued presence and organisational infrastructure of Jaish-e-Mohammed. The group has long been associated with attacks against India, while Azhar himself has been wanted by Indian authorities in connection with several terror cases. The United Nations designated Jaish-e-Mohammed under its sanctions regime in 2001 and listed Masood Azhar individually in 2019. Pakistan’s latest Red Book contains 1,804 names, compared with 1,330 in the 2021 edition, according to India Today. The updated list also includes individuals accused of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The discrepancy between the headline figure and official reporting is also worth noting. An NDTV opinion article published on September 16 referred to a PKR 75 lakh bounty, while multiple reports on the FIA’s latest Red Book put the figure at PKR 70 lakh. The PKR 70 lakh figure is therefore the one supported by the more direct reporting on the FIA announcement.

Masood Azhar’s whereabouts remain publicly unresolved. Pakistan says he is no longer on its soil, while Indian intelligence assessments have disputed that claim. With the FIA’s updated wanted list, the higher bounty and reports of the rebuilding of JeM’s Bahawalpur complex arriving together, the issue is likely to remain under close scrutiny ahead of the October FATF meeting.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to travel to China on September 16 for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to an announcement by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His visit comes just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to travel to the United States for a high-level meeting with US President Donald Trump.

In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Araghchi’s visit and said Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, would hold discussions with his Iranian counterpart. Xi Jinping is expected to meet Trump in the United States on September 24. Trump recently confirmed the date while addressing executives from the US travel industry and expressed optimism about the upcoming engagement with the Chinese leader.

The timing of Araghchi’s visit is significant as Iran continues to face heightened tensions in West Asia following its military confrontation with the United States. Tehran has been engaging with major international partners as it seeks diplomatic support and discussions on the rapidly changing regional situation. Araghchi and Wang Yi have maintained regular diplomatic contact in recent months. The two foreign ministers met in July on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kyrgyzstan. They also held a separate meeting during the BRICS Summit.

The upcoming China visit follows Iran’s participation in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian headed Tehran’s delegation. During the summit, Pezeshkian urged BRICS countries to adopt practical measures against what he described as unilateral and unjust sanctions. He also called for a stronger role for the grouping in dealing with international conflicts and growing geopolitical tensions.

Pezeshkian argued that BRICS nations should oppose attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities, warning that such actions could pose a broader threat to international peace and security. He also highlighted the Palestinian issue and said the bloc had an important role to play in supporting the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.

BRICS leaders subsequently adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, which called for changes in global governance structures and greater representation for developing nations. The declaration also voiced concern over rising tensions in West Asia and urged restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The leaders further stressed the importance of keeping international trade, supply chains and energy flows running smoothly in line with international law. During his visit to New Delhi, Pezeshkian also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their discussions covered India-Iran relations as well as the security situation in West Asia.

Modi emphasised the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to restore long-term peace and stability in the region. He also underlined the need to protect freedom of navigation, maintain uninterrupted commercial activity and ensure the safety of seafarers, particularly amid concerns surrounding the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Against this backdrop, Araghchi’s meeting with Wang Yi is expected to focus on developments in West Asia as well as wider international and diplomatic issues. The talks could also offer Beijing and Tehran an opportunity to coordinate their positions ahead of Xi Jinping’s anticipated discussions with Trump in Washington.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@Iran_in_India.

US President Donald Trump has played down allegations that Chinese companies provided Iran with satellite imagery of a US military base in Jordan before a deadly missile attack, saying that intelligence gathering is a practice carried out by major powers, including the United States and China. “China spies on us, and we spy on them too,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday when asked about the allegations, Reuters reported.

Trump's comments came after The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran had obtained high-resolution satellite imagery from Chinese entities before and after a July 17 missile strike on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in northeastern Jordan. The attack reportedly killed three US service members and injured four others. According to the newspaper, US officials familiar with the matter believe satellite imagery supplied by Chinese entities was connected to Iran's attack on the military facility. The officials did not identify the Chinese companies that allegedly provided the imagery.

The satellite images reportedly offered detailed information about the US facility, potentially giving Iran a clearer picture of the base and the personnel and military assets operating there. American officials had previously raised concerns with Chinese counterparts over the possibility that Chinese companies were supplying satellite imagery to Iran that could be used to monitor US military installations and personnel in the region. China has rejected the allegations and challenged Washington to provide evidence supporting the claims. Chinese officials have also defended Beijing's cooperation with Tehran, saying such activities are consistent with international law.

Trump, meanwhile, did not suggest that he planned to make the allegations a major issue in his expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. When asked whether he would confront Xi over the reported satellite imagery, Trump instead pointed to the broader practice of intelligence gathering between major powers. Reuters reported that Trump described his relationship with Xi as good and suggested that China's activities were not fundamentally different from those carried out by the United States.

“I think China basically does what we do,” Trump said. Trump's remarks indicate that Washington may currently view the reported satellite imagery issue as part of the wider intelligence competition between major powers rather than as an immediate reason for confrontation with Beijing. The allegations nevertheless highlight growing concerns over the use of commercial satellite technology to gather detailed information about military facilities and operations.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Recent discussions between U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have failed to produce a major breakthrough. Daniel Martin speaks with Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, Professor of Security Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU, for further analysis of the developments.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

More than two years after Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was killed by Israeli forces while travelling with a World Central Kitchen humanitarian convoy, Israel has cleared the soldiers involved of criminal responsibility. The decision has drawn strong criticism, including from Frankcom’s family and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who described it as an “outrage.” With increasing demands for accountability, an apology and possible compensation, political editor Tom McIlroy discusses with Reged Ahmad what the decision means for Australia-Israel relations and whether ties between the two countries have reached a new low.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Only weeks after basking in the success of the World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is now facing growing pressure over his position. Infantino has apologised for his controversial proposal to sell the World Cup, but the apology has failed to stop calls for him to step down. The plan has sparked widespread criticism, raising fresh questions about his leadership and whether this latest controversy could prove too damaging. Why did the proposal trigger such a strong backlash, and could it ultimately bring Infantino’s FIFA presidency to an end? Sport reporter Jack Snape joins host Reged Ahmad to examine the growing crisis surrounding the FIFA chief and what could happen next.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Andy Burnham is set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as his first international guest, underscoring the UK's continued commitment to Ukraine. As Burnham unveils his agenda to address long-standing issues such as social care, Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot examine whether his proposals can deliver meaningful change.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.