Pak Pleads for Indus Treaty Revival, India Stands Firm ‘Water and Blood Can’t Flow Together’

GG News Bureau
New Delhi/Islamabad, 15th May: Pakistan has reportedly sent a formal letter to India requesting the reinstatement of the Indus Waters Treaty, which New Delhi suspended following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 civilians — mostly tourists. The attack was widely believed to have been orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror groups.

The letter, sent by Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, warned that the suspension of the treaty could trigger a water crisis within Pakistan, where the three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — form the lifeline of agriculture and daily needs.

India, however, remains steadfast. The government, invoking national security and sovereignty, placed the World Bank-brokered 1960 treaty in abeyance for the first time in its history. The decision was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the country’s apex strategic body.

“Water and Blood Cannot Flow Together”: PM Modi

In his first public remarks after Operation Sindoor, a military operation launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made India’s position crystal clear.

“Water and blood cannot flow together. Terror and talks cannot happen at the same time. Terror and trade cannot happen simultaneously,” PM Modi declared.

The treaty, which had survived wars and diplomatic standoffs for over six decades, granted Pakistan nearly 70% of the Indus river system waters, while India retained control over the remaining 30%. Now, India has initiated a three-tier strategy — short-term, mid-term, and long-term — to halt the flow of Indus waters into Pakistan.

Government Prepares to Utilise Every Drop

Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil confirmed that steps are being taken to fully utilise India’s share of water, stating:

“We are ensuring not a single drop of water leaves Indian territory unutilised.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised Pakistan’s repeated violations of the spirit of the treaty:

“The Indus Waters Treaty was founded on goodwill and friendship. Pakistan has trampled on these values by supporting cross-border terrorism for decades.”

India’s firm posture reflects a broader recalibration of its approach towards Islamabad. Officials have stated that any future dialogue will focus exclusively on ending terrorism and the return of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Strategic Push for Hydroelectric Projects

With the suspension in place, the Modi government is expected to fast-track hydroelectric projects that were previously stalled due to treaty constraints. A high-level meeting is expected later this week, to be chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, with Water Resources Minister CR Paatil, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and senior officials from multiple ministries in attendance. This will be the third such meeting since the treaty’s suspension.

As tensions continue to escalate, India’s message remains resolute: no more concessions without concrete action from Pakistan on terrorism.