Taking a strong stance on the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said, “Bharat ne yeh tay kar liya hai ki khoon aur paani ek saath nahi bahega (India has decided that water and blood won’t flow together)”. The Prime Minister made the statement in his address to the nation on the occasion of country’s 79th Independence Day.
‘Indus Waters Treaty unfair and unjust,’ says PM Modi
He further said that that the people of India now clearly see the Indus agreement as unfair and one-sided, and that for decades, rivers starting in India have been supplying water to neighbouring countries, while Indian farmers have struggled with water shortages. He added that the deal has harmed Indian farmers for the past 70 years, and now, the water should belong only to them.
“This was such an agreement that has caused unimaginable damage to the farmers of my country for the last seven decades. Now, the right over the water belongs only to the farmers of India,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi hails heroes of Op Sindoor
The PM also spoke about the deadly Pahalgam killings, where terrorists from across the border murdered people after asking their religion. He said it shocked the world and angered the entire country. He reiterated in his address that Operation Sindoor was launched in response to that outrage, and the armed forces were given full freedom to act.
PM Modi added that the heroes of Op Sindoor entered deep into enemy territory, destroyed terrorist headquarters, and caused such extensive damage that new details about the operation are still emerging. Modi saluted the bravery of the soldiers, saying they punished the enemy beyond imagination.
Further, the PM said that countless people gave their lives for India’s freedom, spending their youth in prisons and dedicating themselves to ending slavery. ‘Gulami ne humey nirdhan bana diya, gulami ne humey nirbhar bhi bana diya (Slavery made us poor, and slavery also made us dependent),’ Modi said. He added that the farmers of the country worked tirelessly, combining their sweat and hard work to fill the nation’s food reserves.