World Bank Clarifies Role Amid Indus Water Treaty Suspension: ‘We Are Just Facilitators’
New Delhi, 9th May 2025: World Bank President Ajay Banga has clarified the institution’s position regarding the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, stressing that the bank has no operational role in resolving the crisis.
On Thursday, Banga met PM Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
“There’s a lot of speculation in the media about how the World Bank will step in and fix the problem, but it’s all bunk,” Banga said. “The World Bank’s role is merely as a facilitator.”
His remarks come in the wake of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, which led to the temporary suspension of the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty — a critical water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank in 1960.
After the killing of tourists in Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir) on April 22, the Indian Government suspended the treaty.
As diplomatic channels remain tense, various media reports have suggested the World Bank may intervene to mediate or resolve the issue. However, Banga’s statement puts those theories to rest.
