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| In UN, India talks tough on Indus Water Treaty, warns Pak against supporting terrorism | | WATER AND BLOOD CAN’T FLOW TOGETHER | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 20: India delivered a strong rebuttal to Pakistan at the United Nations, asserting that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain in abeyance until Islamabad takes “credible and irreversible” steps to end its support for cross-border terrorism.
Speaking at a United Nations event around World Water Day, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish (Harish Parvathaneni), said New Delhi had entered into the 1960 agreement in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation, but that commitment has been eroded by decades of hostility and violence.
Issuing what was described as a firm diplomatic message, the Indian envoy stated that meaningful engagement, including discussions on water-sharing, cannot continue in an environment marked by persistent terror attacks.
He underscored that responsibility in international agreements is a “two-way street,” and accused Pakistan of violating the core spirit of the treaty through wars and sustained sponsorship of terrorism.
India reiterated that the treaty was effectively put in abeyance following last year’s Pahalgam attack, which New Delhi linked to Pakistan-backed elements. Officials maintained that thousands of innocent lives have been lost to such acts over the years, making it untenable to continue cooperation under existing conditions.
In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, the Indian side conveyed that there would be “no normal engagement” unless terrorism is completely halted, signalling a hardened stance on bilateral ties. The envoy described Pakistan as a “global epicentre of terror” and stressed that respect for human life must form the foundation of any international cooperation.
Highlighting structural concerns, Harish pointed out that the six-decade-old treaty no longer reflects present-day technological advancements, clean energy needs, and climate realities. He said India had repeatedly sought dialogue with Pakistan to update and modernise the framework, but these proposals were consistently rejected by Islamabad.
“Treaties cannot operate in isolation from ground realities,” he said, adding that continued hostility undermines both trust and sustainability of such agreements.
The diplomatic exchange took centre stage during the UN session, where India also showcased its domestic initiatives on water governance. Reaffirming its commitment to ensuring safe and accessible drinking water, India highlighted progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at providing tap water connections to rural households across the country.
India also accused Pakistan of misusing multilateral platforms to raise bilateral issues, prompting a firm response from its delegation.
Concluding his remarks, the Indian envoy asserted that any future dialogue on the Indus Waters Treaty would depend on Pakistan demonstrating a verifiable end to terrorism. “The sanctity of treaties rests on mutual trust and respect for life,” he said, making it clear that restoration of the agreement hinges on a conducive and terror-free environment. |
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