India Decides To Stop River Water Sharing With Pakistan

New Delhi: In a major development following the Pulwama terror attack, the Narendra Modi government has decided to stop share of water which flows into Pakistan.

The move was announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari who is holding the additional charge of the Water Resource portfolio through its twitter handle.

It, however, remains unclear if the decision will have an impact on Indus water treaty and the extend to which Pakistan will be impacted. In its initial reaction, strategic affairs expert Sushant Sareen said the decision may not impact the neighbour unless the Indus water treaty is reviewed. But he acknowledged that the statement of intent of the government has become clear with this move.

In his follow up Tweets, Gadkari highlighted the dam projects which are under construction to store the water and share with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Under the Indus Waters Treaty — brokered by the World Bank and signed by India and Pakistan in 1960 — India has control over the waters of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers. Pakistan has control over the waters from Jhelum, Chenab and Indus.

Of the total 168 million acre-feet, India’s share of water from the three rivers is 33 million acre-feet, which constitutes nearly 20 per cent. India uses nearly 93-94 per cent of its share under the Indus Waters Treaty. The rest of the water remains unutilised and flows to Pakistan. This is the water that India has decided to stop, reports suggested.

“He (Nitin Gadkari) is talking about diverting India’s share of Indus water, which was going to Pakistan – and he has always been saying this as you all know,” news agency ANI quoted Neeta Prasad, a senior official from the Water Resource ministry as saying.

Sheraz Memon, Deputy for Indus Water Commission, said, “India does not have the capability to stop or divert our water. The decision is nothing more than a bullying attempt.”