Prime Minister Modi Criticizes Congress on Indus Waters Treaty and Opposition’s Stance on Military Operations
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today strongly criticized the Congress party, accusing them of mortgaging India’s interests and finding excuses to oppose national security actions. Speaking in Parliament, Modi specifically targeted the Indus Waters Treaty signed by India’s first prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the opposition’s reaction to “Operation Sindoor.”
Modi asserted that the Indus Waters Treaty, signed by Nehru, granted 80% of the waters of rivers originating in India and flowing to Pakistan to the neighboring country, while India received only 20%. He questioned this diplomatic approach, stating that India’s identity is linked to the Indus river and that allowing the World Bank to decide on water sharing was a concession. “India has firmly conveyed its stance that blood and water cannot flow together,” Modi declared, referencing the current geopolitical climate.
The Prime Minister also took a veiled jab at Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari for not participating in a debate on “Operation Sindoor.” He suggested that some leaders were being “barred even from speaking in Parliament” and that there was a need to overcome such a mindset. modi accused the opposition of consistently finding new excuses to oppose army operations,drawing parallels to their reactions during surgical strikes and airstrikes. He characterized their opposition as a tactic to find fault, stating, “Terrorists are crying, their masterminds are crying and seeing them cry, some people are crying here to.” He concluded by saying the entire country is laughing at their attempts to oppose.
India Accuses Pakistan of Violating Indus Waters Treaty, Cites Terrorism
New York – May 24, 2024 – India has strongly accused Pakistan of violating the Indus Waters Treaty, citing the latter’s support for cross-border terrorism as the core reason. This assertion, made at the United Nations, highlights a notable escalation in tensions between the two nations.Furthermore, this is just the start of what seems to be a diplomatic standoff.
India Accuses Pakistan of Violating Indus Waters Treaty, Cites Terrorism
New york-India has strongly criticized pakistan at the United Nations, accusing the nation of violating the spirit of the Indus Waters Treaty through its support for cross-border terrorism. The statement, delivered by India’s Permanent Representative to the U.N., Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, came during an Arria Formula meeting of the U.N.Security Council focused on protecting water in armed conflicts.
Key Points of India’s Statement
- Accusation of Disinformation: India accused Pakistan of spreading
disinformation
regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. - Violation of Treaty Spirit: India asserted that Pakistan has
violated the spirit of the treaty by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on India.
- Suspension of Treaty: India declared the Indus Waters Treaty would be held in abeyance until Pakistan credibly stops supporting cross-border terrorism.
Did you know?
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, is one of the most successful water-sharing agreements in the world, surviving multiple wars and periods of intense tension between India and Pakistan.
India’s Justification for Holding treaty in Abeyance
The decision to hold the indus Waters treaty in abeyance followed the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed. Ambassador Harish emphasized that India entered into the treaty in good faith
65 years ago. However, he argued that Pakistan’s actions have consistently undermined the treaty’s foundational principles.
Pakistan’s state-sponsored cross-border terrorism in India seeks to hold hostage the lives of civilians, religious harmony and economic prosperity.
Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, Permanent Representative of India to the U.N.
Harish noted that over the past four decades, more than 20,000 Indian lives have been lost in terror attacks.
He also highlighted that India has repeatedly requested discussions with Pakistan to modify the treaty, but these requests have been rejected.
Pro Tip
The Indus Waters Treaty allows for modifications under certain conditions. India argues that significant changes in security concerns, energy needs, and climate necessitate a reevaluation of the treaty’s provisions.
Pakistan’s Obstructionist Approach
India contends that Pakistan’s obstructionist approach continues to prevent the exercise of full utilisation of legitimate rights by India.
Moreover, India argues that essential changes, including escalating security concerns, the need for clean energy, climate change, and demographic shifts, necessitate modifications to the treaty.
Ambassador Harish pointed out that Pakistan has consistently blocked changes to dam infrastructure, raising safety concerns.He also mentioned the 2012 terrorist attack on the tulbul Navigation Project in Jammu and Kashmir, stating, These cynical acts continue to endanger the safety of our projects and the lives of civilians.
India’s Stance on Cross-Border Terrorism
India has firmly stated that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan ends its support for cross-border terrorism. It is clear that it is Pakistan which remains in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty,
Harish asserted.
Reader Question
How does holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance affect water distribution between India and pakistan?
Response to Pakistan’s Allegations at UNSC
Earlier in the day, Ambassador Harish responded to Pakistan’s allegations at a UNSC open debate on ‘Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict,’ calling pakistan’s behavior grossly hypocritical.
He emphasized that a nation that makes no distinction between terrorists and civilians has no credentials to speak about protecting civilians.
Harish recounted the history of Pakistani-sponsored terrorist attacks, including the 26/11 Mumbai attack and the Pahalgam attack in April 2025. The victims of Pakistani terrorism have been predominantly civilians since its objective has been to attack our prosperity, progress and morale,
he stated.
Escalation of Tensions and operation Sindoor
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following the Pahalgam attack.India launched operation Sindoor, conducting precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Hostilities de-escalated after talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
Ambassador Harish concluded by stating that Pakistan has repeatedly used civilian cover to advance terrorism, further justifying India’s position.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Indus Waters Treaty?
The Indus Waters Treaty is a water-sharing agreement signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, allocating the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries.
Why is India holding the treaty in abeyance?
india is holding the treaty in abeyance due to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism, which India views as a violation of the treaty’s spirit.
What is Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was a series of precision strikes conducted by India on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack.