New Delhi– Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan over the Indus Waters Treaty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India will now fully assert its rights over its water resources, emphasizing that water originating in India will be used for the benefit of the Indian people.
Speaking at the India@2047 Summit, hosted by a national news outlet, Modi issued a pointed message to Islamabad, stating that the long-standing imbalance under the Indus Waters Treaty—where significant volumes of Indian water flowed into Pakistan—would no longer continue. “Bharat ke haq ka paani, Bharat ke haq mein bahega,” Modi asserted, meaning “the water that rightfully belongs to India will now serve India’s interests.”
He acknowledged that rivers have historically been a source of conflict but reiterated India’s commitment to using its rivers for development and national welfare through interlinking projects and improved water management. Modi also criticized the media’s surface-level treatment of water issues, noting that while the topic garners headlines, India has long relinquished a large share of its water due to treaty constraints.
The Prime Minister’s remarks follow the deadly attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists. In response, the Indian government has rolled out a series of retaliatory measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. Following a high-level cabinet meeting chaired by Modi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that diplomatic relations with Pakistan would be downgraded, and the treaty placed in abeyance until Islamabad takes concrete steps to curb cross-border terrorism.
As part of the initial steps, India has moved to limit water flows to Pakistan by closing the Baglihar and Salal dams on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. The decision has sparked alarm in Pakistan, where the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) expressed “deep apprehension” over the sharp decline in River Chenab’s inflows at Marala. Pakistani officials have attributed the drop directly to India’s water curtailment measures.
The developments signal a major shift in India’s water diplomacy and resource strategy. For decades, India honored the terms of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, even amid repeated cross-border tensions. However, the Modi government’s latest stance reflects a hardened approach that links resource access with national security, underscoring India’s resolve to protect its territorial and strategic interests. (Source: IANS)
