India Rules Out Restoration of Indus Waters Treaty, Plans to Redirect Flow for Domestic Use
NEW DELHI: India has firmly ruled out any restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, with Home Minister Amit Shah stating that the water flow previously shared under the agreement will now be diverted for use within India.
In an interview published by The Times of India on Saturday, Shah confirmed that the decision to suspend participation in the decades-old treaty is final. The move follows recent tensions in the region, particularly after a deadly incident in India-administered Kashmir, where 26 civilians lost their lives. India has attributed the attack to elements across the border, a claim denied by Pakistan, which has called for an independent investigation.
India formally withdrew from the IWT on April 23, ending its adherence to the 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, which governs the distribution and management of the Indus River system between the two countries.
Despite a recent ceasefire agreement between the neighboring nations, tensions remain high. Pakistan has expressed strong opposition to India’s move, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier describing it as a “violation” of international norms. The decision was also addressed during Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) meeting held on April 24.
Speaking about the future of the water flow, Shah emphasized the government’s plan to redirect water resources for internal development.
“We will take water that was flowing to Pakistan to Rajasthan by constructing a canal,” he said, referencing efforts to support agriculture and water needs in northwestern India.
“Pakistan will be deprived of water that it has been getting unjustifiably,” he added.
Reports last month suggested that India is preparing to significantly increase its use of river water that previously flowed downstream into Pakistan. According to Reuters, this move is part of a broader response strategy amid ongoing diplomatic and security tensions.
The developments mark a new phase in bilateral relations, with little indication of a return to the negotiation table on water-sharing frameworks in the near future.
