India Rules Out Revival of Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan

India has firmly stated that it will not reinstate the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan. According to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, the water previously allocated to Pakistan under the treaty will now be diverted for domestic use, particularly to support the water needs of Rajasthan.

The Indus Waters Treaty, a key water-sharing agreement signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, has been in question since India suspended its participation on April 23. This decision came after a tragic incident in India-administered Kashmir, where 26 civilians lost their lives. India attributed the incident to Pakistan, though Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for an independent investigation.

Despite recent ceasefire agreements between the two neighbouring countries, the future of the water-sharing accord remains uncertain. Earlier, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the suspension, labelling it a violation of international commitments and a serious concern regarding regional water security. He emphasized that Pakistan would respond appropriately, as per the decisions made in its National Security Committee (NSC) meeting.

In an interview with the Times of India, Amit Shah reiterated the Indian government’s stance, stating, “The Indus Waters Treaty will not be reinstated. The water will be redirected to benefit India’s internal regions, including Rajasthan.”

These remarks highlight the growing strain between the two countries over resource sharing and underline the challenges facing diplomatic efforts related to the treaty in the near future.