In a recent statement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that Pakistan would not receive water from rivers controlled by India. This announcement came on the heels of heightened tensions between the two countries following a deadly attack in India-held Kashmir. The attack prompted New Delhi to suspend a crucial river water-sharing treaty negotiated by the World Bank in 1960.
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is of immense significance to Pakistan, as it provides water for 80% of the country’s agricultural needs. Despite the suspension of the treaty, Pakistan’s finance minister downplayed the immediate impact, emphasizing the nation’s willingness to engage in discussions regarding water sharing. The attorney general for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, reiterated Islamabad’s openness to dialogue but stressed the importance of adhering to the treaty’s terms.
The situation escalated further when India cited population growth and clean energy requirements as reasons to modify the treaty. However, Awan emphasized that the treaty is legally binding, and no party can unilaterally suspend it. He underscored that any actions taken by India in violation of the treaty would be at its own risk.
While military tensions between the two nations have subsided since a ceasefire agreement, the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources in Pakistan condemned India’s actions as illegal and threatening to Pakistan’s water security. The committee members expressed a firm stance against any provocations that could jeopardize the livelihoods of millions of Pakistani citizens reliant on consistent water access.
The committee denounced India’s interference with the Neelum Jehlum project as an act of aggression, warning that any violations of Pakistan’s water rights under the treaty could endanger the fragile ceasefire. They called upon the international community to intervene and uphold India’s international obligations, emphasizing the critical importance of the treaty for Pakistan’s food security and agricultural productivity.
In conclusion, the ongoing tensions over water rights between India and Pakistan underscore broader geopolitical complexities and the fragility of peace in the region. The dispute serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of water resources, national security, and the imperative of international agreements in averting conflicts that could have far-reaching consequences.
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