Indian delegates reportedly attempted to interrupt National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq while he was addressing the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, on climate adaptation and climate justice.
According to available information, members of the Indian delegation repeatedly sought to intervene during Sadiq’s remarks. Footage from the conference showed attempts to take control of the microphone and interrupt the proceedings.
During his address, Sadiq referred to what he called “water terrorism” while discussing climate change, water resources and climate justice, though he did not name any country.
The disruption prompted intervention from the host and the Jamaican speaker, who reportedly asked the Indian delegates to either remain silent or leave the hall. Other participants also urged them to listen to Sadiq’s remarks. The session subsequently continued despite the interruption.
Sadiq focused his address on the international community’s responsibilities in responding to climate change. Without identifying any particular country or delegation, he referred to issues such as sudden increases in river flows and the withholding of water.
He argued that climate adaptation policies should be developed with meaningful public participation and said democratic institutions had an essential role in overseeing measures designed to address climate change.
The speaker noted that climate change was affecting food, water, health and other areas of life, adding that Pakistan was among the countries facing significant climate-related impacts.
He stressed that addressing climate change required both climate justice and the involvement of democratic institutions. Parliamentary discussions on global challenges, he said, should remain serious, constructive and focused on practical outcomes.
Sadiq also highlighted the role of legislatures in implementing climate policies and called for parliamentary oversight of international climate finance. He said Pakistan’s Parliament was contributing to climate adaptation through legislation, budgetary scrutiny and parliamentary committees.
He further emphasised the importance of including women, young people and other sections of society in efforts to address climate change. Parliaments, he said, should learn from one another’s experiences and promote cooperation and meaningful dialogue in responding to climate risks.
Sadiq maintained that strong democratic institutions were essential for strong societies and argued that effective climate adaptation required fair financial assistance alongside democratic accountability.
The incident came against the backdrop of continuing Pakistan-India tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). India placed the treaty in abeyance in April 2025, after which Pakistan rejected any attempt to suspend its water entitlement and argued that the treaty contained no provision allowing unilateral suspension. Islamabad subsequently maintained that India’s action also violated the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
In August, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued a ruling concerning India’s obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty and a hydropower project in Indian-administered Kashmir.
