On Saturday, India criticized Pakistan for its “disinformation” regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, which was halted following a lethal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, last month.
‘IWT to remain suspended until Pak stops cross-border terrorism’
India’s Permanent UN Representative, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, stated that the 65-year-old agreement will stay inactive until Pakistan, identified as a global epicentre of terror, stops its backing of cross-border terrorism.
His reply followed the Pakistani representative bringing up the agreement matter at the UN, stating “water is life and not a weapon of war.”
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India halted the Indus Waters Treaty, initially signed in 1960, on April 23, following the Pahalgam attack that resulted in 26 fatalities. New Delhi’s move followed the discovery of cross-border links to the heinous terrorist attack.
‘India has behaved responsibly as an upper-riparian state’
While emphasizing four points that “revealed” Pakistan, Harish said that India has consistently behaved responsibly as an upper riparian state.
Harish remarked that more than 20,000 Indians have lost their lives in terrorist incidents over the past forty years. India has exhibited remarkable patience and generosity during this time, he said.
“Pakistan state-sponsored cross-border terrorism in India seeks to hold hostage the lives of civilians, religious harmony, and economic prosperity,” he said.
“In these 65 years, far-reaching fundamental changes have taken place, not only in terms of escalating security concerns through cross-border terror attacks but also growing requirements for producing clean energy, climate change, and demographic change,” the Indian Ambassador said.
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Harish mentioned that in 2012, terrorists also targeted the Tulbul navigation project in Jammu and Kashmir. “These cynical acts continue to endanger the safety of our projects and the lives of civilians,” he said.
He also stated that India has officially requested Pakistan to discuss changes on multiple occasions over the last two years, however, Pakistan persists in rejecting these, and its obstructive stance continues to hinder India’s ability to fully exercise its legitimate rights.
India-Pak tensions continue to mount post Pahalgam Attack
Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated after the Pahalgam assault.
India, upon discovering cross-border connections to the assault, initiated “Operation Sindoor” on May 7 and targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
