India has decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan as a direct response to continued cross-border terrorism linked to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil confirmed the decision on Friday, emphasizing that the government is committed to ensuring that no water from the Indus river reaches Pakistan. This move is part of a broader strategy, which includes long-term, short-term, and midterm plans to prevent water sharing with the neighboring country.
India’s Response to Cross-Border Terrorism
The government’s decision to suspend the IWT stems from Pakistan’s sustained involvement in cross-border terrorism targeting Jammu and Kashmir. Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a meeting to discuss the future course of action, focusing on safeguarding India’s national interests. The decision also reflects India’s frustration with the ongoing security threats emanating from Pakistan, which hinder its rights under the water-sharing agreement.
Plans to Divert Water and Build Dams
India is now preparing three types of action plans: long-term, short-term, and midterm. Government sources revealed that the long-term plans include projects such as desilting existing dams, diverting river waters, and constructing new dams. A key objective is to halt the provision of critical hydrological data to Pakistan, which is necessary for managing floods and droughts. In addition, India is considering the fast-tracking of hydropower projects that were previously delayed due to the treaty. These projects are expected to add significant electricity capacity, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
The government is also planning to move ahead with infrastructure projects without giving the customary six-month notice to Pakistan, a provision that had previously been part of the treaty. This signals a shift in India’s approach, allowing it to take more control over its water resources.
In a related statement, Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his long-standing opposition to the treaty, calling it unfair to the people of the region. Meanwhile, the BJP has supported the government’s stance, echoing Prime Minister Modi’s earlier remarks that “blood and water cannot flow together,” a sentiment now reflected in the suspension of the treaty.
The IWT, signed in 1960, allocated water from the Indus and its tributaries between India and Pakistan. This agreement has been a key point of contention in Indo-Pakistani relations, with Pakistan benefiting from control over three of the six rivers in the system, vital for its agriculture.
