India has reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan will remain suspended, citing continued support for cross-border ‘terrorism’ from Islamabad as the primary reason.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made it clear that no progress in India-Pakistan relations is possible unless Pakistan takes concrete steps against terrorism, reports NDTV/ Hindustan Times/ UNI India/ Odisha TV.
“This agreement is suspended. It will remain suspended until Pakistan takes effective action against cross-border terrorism,” Jaishankar stated.
He also emphasized that all issues with Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally, rejecting any third-party involvement. “This is a long-standing policy and remains unchanged,” he said.
Jaishankar referred to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and said India had retaliated through Operation Sindoor on May 7. He added that the UN Security Council had supported calls for justice in the attack’s aftermath.
The Foreign Minister was firm that no dialogue will occur with Pakistan on any issue except terrorism. “They have a list of known terrorists. Pakistan knows what it has to do,” he said.
On the issue of Kashmir, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s stance that the entire region belongs to India. “The part under Pakistan’s control is illegally occupied. If they are ready to return it, only then can discussions happen,” he added.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, governs the sharing of rivers flowing from India to Pakistan. Although it has withstood past wars and political tensions, it is now caught in the broader diplomatic rift.
Reacting strongly to India’s position, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned of "unimaginable consequences" if India tried to disrupt the water flow.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
