What happened?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that India will not restore the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and will instead divert river water currently flowing to Pakistan for use within India. In an interview, Shah declared, “No, it will never be restored,” adding, “We will take water that was flowing to Pakistan to Rajasthan by constructing a canal. Pakistan will be starved of water that it has been getting unjustifiably”. This aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier assertion that “blood and water cannot flow together”. The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, governs the distribution of water from the Indus river system between India and Pakistan, granting Pakistan access to water for approximately 80% of its agricultural land from three rivers originating in India. India suspended its participation in the treaty following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. Despite a recent halt to military operations, the treaty remains on hold. India has begun preparations to fully utilize its share of the Indus waters, with a feasibility study underway for a 113-kilometre canal project to divert excess water from Jammu & Kashmir to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. This canal will connect the Chenab river with the Ravi-Beas-Sutlej river system to better utilize India’s share of both eastern and western rivers that would otherwise flow into Pakistan. India’s actions have cast doubt on immediate negotiations on the treaty. Reuters reported in May that India is preparing to draw significantly more water from rivers flowing into Pakistan as a retaliatory strategy. Pakistan’s foreign ministry has previously stated that the treaty does not allow unilateral withdrawal and warned that blocking water flow would be viewed as “an act of war”. Islamabad is also exploring legal options under international law to challenge India’s suspension of the treaty. Earlier, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his willingness to engage with India on all unresolved matters, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty, trade, and counter-terrorism. India, however, has maintained a firm stance, stating it will only engage in talks with Pakistan on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and terrorism-related concerns.
Why it matters to India
Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement regarding the Indus Waters Treaty signifies a major shift in India’s river policy and bilateral water sharing with Pakistan. The decision to not restore the treaty and divert water to Indian states like Rajasthan is a strategic move aimed at addressing India’s water needs and asserting its control over shared resources. This strong stance, reinforced by the Prime Minister’s earlier remarks, reflects India’s hardening position towards Pakistan, particularly in the context of terrorism. While this move could lead to increased tensions and potential legal challenges from Pakistan, it underscores India’s determination to prioritize its national interests and respond to perceived injustices.