India has officially said it will not consider the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan again, as it has advised that the treaty is “forever suspended.” In an interview, Home Minister Amit Shah stated that water presently going to Pakistan will now be diverted for use within India, specifically in the dry state of Rajasthan.
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, allowing Pakistan to consume around 80% of the Indus River system waters, which start in India. The treaty had been hailed as a rare case of cooperation between the two foes, even during escalated tension.
However, India did not fulfil its obligations under the treaty after the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians that New Delhi blamed on militants in Pakistan. Last month, one of the most serious escalations in years ended in a ceasefire. Now, India is not looking to resume treaty obligations.
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“Pakistan will be starved of water it has been getting unjustifiably,” Shah said, confirming plans to construct a new canal to divert the water inland.
Islamabad has warned in the past that unilateral steps regarding river sharing violate international law and could be regarded as an “act of aggression.” It is reportedly looking into legal options.
