New Delhi – In a significant development, Pakistan has reportedly written to India, urging it to reconsider the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The plea comes after India halted the 1960 water-sharing agreement in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. The attack was attributed to Pakistan-backed terrorism, prompting India to invoke its national security prerogative.
Background of the Indus Waters Treaty
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, is a landmark water-sharing accord between India and Pakistan. It allocates the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) to Pakistan. Historically, the treaty has endured despite wars and conflicts, symbolizing cooperation between the two nations.
However, India’s decision to suspend the treaty marks the first time the agreement has been put into abeyance. The move was endorsed by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizing, “Water and blood cannot flow together. Terror and talks cannot happen at the same time.”
Pakistan’s Plea and India’s Response
Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources has warned that the suspension of the treaty could trigger a severe crisis within the country. In a letter to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Islamabad urged New Delhi to resume the flow of rivers into its territory.
Indian officials, however, have dismissed Pakistan’s concerns, citing its long-standing support for cross-border terrorism. Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil stated that India is implementing a three-tier strategy to ensure that no water from the Indus River System leaves Indian territory unutilized.
Strategic Implications
India’s suspension of the treaty is part of a broader strategy to counter Pakistan’s support for terrorism. Following Operation Sindoor, a military campaign targeting terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India has made it clear that dialogue with Islamabad will focus solely on ending terrorism and reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Modi government is also accelerating stalled hydroelectric projects to maximize the use of water resources allocated to India under the treaty. High-level meetings involving Home Minister Amit Shah and other key officials are underway to finalize these plans.
Conclusion
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty underscores India’s firm stance against terrorism and its willingness to leverage strategic resources to pressure Pakistan. As tensions between the two nations remain high, the future of the treaty and regional stability hangs in the balance.
