Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil issued a strong rebuttal on Thursday following claims that Pakistan could ‘go to war’ over the Indus Water Treaty. The crucial agreement was suspended by New Delhi earlier this year following the devastating Pagalgam Terror Attack. The treaty had guaranteed water access for 80% of Pakistan’s farms through three rivers originating in India — a crucial lifeline for the water-stressed country.
“The water won’t go anywhere… What he says is his own opinion… We are not afraid of false threats. Earlier too…Bilawal Bhutto gave a threat that if water won’t flow, blood will flow. I want to say that we won’t be intimidated by such threats. Ham aisi gidar dhamkiyon se darte nahi,” Patil said.
The remarks came days after Bhutto — the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party — insisted that India had only two options: “Agree to the Indus Water Treaty, or Pakistan will wage another war”. He also claimed that Islamabad was the “true custodians of the Indus civilisation” and warned that warning Pakistan could “seize all six rivers” if the treaty was not reinstated.
“This decision belongs to the Indian government and the Prime Minister… There is no update on the abeyance of the treaty. Whatever decision will be taken will only benefit the nation,” Patil said on Thursday.
Home Minister Amit Shah had been far more vehement during an interview earlier this week — insisting that the Treaty would “never be restored”. He also indicated that water previously flowing into the neighbouring country would now be rerouted to Indian states such as Rajasthan via new canal infrastructure.
Sources also told news agency ANI that the Indian government has decided to divert water meant for Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty for use in four Indian states, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. The Jal Shakti Ministry is reportedly working on infrastructure development at a war-footing level to implement this decision under the supervision of the Home Minister. The plan also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent assertion that “desh ka pani desh ke haq me bahega (India’s water will flow in India’s favour)”.
(With inputs from agencies)