The recent flooding of tributary Dek, which destroyed several standing crops and flooded many villages is a blatant act of hostility. Being an upper riparian country, India controls the Indus rivers. As such it ought to be aware of the consequences of letting great quantities of water suddenly flow downstream into Pakistan. The Indus Waters Treaty was formulated in the first place to avoid incidents of sort where water is used as a ‘weapon of war’. Given the damage to the crops and the villages that have been submerged, it seems like an act of aggression. For one thing, the constant thwarting of Pakistan’s overtures to building peace needs close scrutiny from all those who are pursing a policy of appeasement. The diversion of water resources is being used as bullying tactic; when Pakistan is faced with a shortage, the supply is cut off and when we have enough of it, India floods our river system. New Delhi must follow the treaty in letter and in spirit to pave the way for peaceful co-existence. Riddled with burgeoning problems, South Asia does not need more unrest. Trust deficit on both sides needs to be overcome. Though we did see some thawing after President Zardari’s visit to India, issues both core and small continue to linger. Kashmir, Siachen, and now the water discord must be resolved lest the tension should escalate into a military confrontation. This is the right time for Pakistan to request the International Court of Arbitration to step in and help.