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India's Firm Position on the Indus Water Treaty

On Thursday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the Indus Water Treaty will remain in effect only if Pakistan effectively and permanently halts cross-border terrorism. Speaking to the media, the minister emphasized that the treaty is currently suspended and will stay that way until Pakistan takes credible measures to eliminate terrorism from its territory. He added that discussions regarding Kashmir should focus solely on vacating the illegally occupied Indian territory in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and India is open to such discussions.

Pakistan's Appeal for Reconsideration

In response, Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources has urged India to reconsider its decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty. In a letter addressed to his Indian counterpart Debashree Mukherjee, Murtaza expressed his government's willingness to discuss the specific objections raised by New Delhi. He also questioned the legal basis of India's actions, noting that the treaty lacks any exit clause. However, the Indian government remains steadfast in its decision.

India's Unyielding Stance

When contacted, officials from the Ministry of Water Resources declined to comment officially on the situation, but sources indicated that there is little chance of a change in India's position under the current circumstances. They reiterated that the decision to suspend the treaty was made due to ongoing cross-border terrorism targeting Jammu and Kashmir. In a letter dated April 24, Mukherjee informed Murtaza that Pakistan's refusal to engage in proposed talks under the treaty and its continued sponsorship of terrorism constitutes a violation of the agreement. India has also declared that it will cease sharing flood warnings with Pakistan.

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