Suhail Khan
New Delhi, April 25 ; Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil declared on Friday that India will ensure “not a single drop of water from the Indus River reaches Pakistan,” following the central government’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) as a retaliatory measure against cross-border terrorism linked to the Pahalgam attack.
The announcement came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah as per Kashmir Despatch chaired a high-level meeting to review India’s future course of action regarding the treaty, which has been placed in abeyance.
Sources indicate that the World Bank, a signatory to the IWT, has not yet been formally notified of India’s decision.
Paatil outlined three key strategies—short-term, mid-term, and long-term—to completely halt water supply to Pakistan. “The Modi government’s historic decision on the Indus Water Treaty is fully justified and in the national interest,” he stated in a post on X as per Kashmir Despatch.
Government sources revealed that discussions included measures such as desilting dams, diverting river waters, and constructing new dams. Additionally, India will cease sharing hydrological data with Pakistan—critical for flood and drought management—and expedite pending hydropower projects previously stalled due to Pakistan’s objections.
Officials confirmed that India is prepared to counter any legal challenges, including potential disputes at the World Bank. “Even if Pakistan approaches international forums, India has a robust response ready,” a source said.
The suspension of the treaty also allows India to fast-track hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir without the earlier obligation of a six-month notice to Pakistan. This move is expected to significantly boost the region’s electricity capacity.
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir’s political leaders have long criticized the IWT as unfair to the region.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also remarked, “The people of J&K have never supported this treaty, which has largely disadvantaged us.” He added that the long-term implications of India’s decision remain to be seen.
What’s The Indus Waters Treaty
Signed in 1960 under World Bank mediation, the IWT allocates the waters of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. India controls the eastern rivers (Beas, Ravi, Sutlej), while Pakistan holds rights over the western rivers (Chenab, Indus, Jhelum). The treaty has been a longstanding point of contention, with India now taking decisive steps to reassess its terms in light of national security concerns.
