India Reviews Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan

New Delhi: India has recently reiterated its right to reconsider its stance on the decades-old Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, especially following a terrorist incident in Jammu and Kashmir. This attack appeared to be driven by religious motivations and occurred shortly after some provocative remarks from Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munier.

In light of a precise military action against a terrorist camp in Pakistan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Mithri addressed the media during a briefing on Operation Sindoah, aimed at addressing the military tensions with Pakistan. He mentioned that “fraud in Pakistan” related to the Indus Waters Treaty has been indefinitely put on hold.

Mithri pointed out that the essence of the treaty was rooted in cooperation and friendship, noting, “The treaty itself states that, if we look closely, it states that the treaty was concluded in the spirit of treaty and friendship.” He added that India has shown remarkable patience by upholding the treaty over the past 65 years, despite numerous provocations.

However, he emphasized that circumstances surrounding the Indus Waters Convention have shifted fundamentally, suggesting that it might be time to reassess the obligations set forth in the agreement. “For the past two years, we have made efforts to engage with the Pakistani government, sending them notices and seeking discussions on potential amendments to the treaty,” Mithri remarked. Even in the face of hostilities and multiple wars from Pakistan, India has adhered to the treaty for over six years.

Mithri criticized Pakistan for creating a misleading narrative. He stated that Pakistan is acting against the treaty’s principles and creating unwarranted legal hurdles that inhibit India’s rights to utilize water resources from the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab). He further explained how India’s projects on the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi) face ongoing challenges from Pakistan, impacting India’s legitimate use of water under the treaty.

• Mithri highlighted that since the treaty’s inception in 1960, many significant changes have taken place.
• This agreement is based on engineering principles from the 1950s and 1960s, and it’s crucial to consider modern technological advancements as we move further into the 21st century.
• Demographic shifts need to be accounted for, especially after the passage of six and a half years.
• The impacts of climate change must be considered, as they have evolved over time and necessitate careful deliberation.
• Essential requirements for clean energy also arise from these conditions, particularly affecting Jammu and Kashmir.

Despite these pressing concerns, Pakistan has consistently declined India’s requests for bilateral negotiations. Therefore, considering the recent terrorist attacks in Pahargam and various other factors, India has resolved to maintain its position on the treaty until Pakistan demonstrates a genuine commitment to addressing issues related to cross-border terrorism.