Resolution not to give water to Pakistan under Indus Water Treaty

09-May-2025 01:54 PM

New Delhi. The Union Agriculture Minister has announced that water previously released to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty will be completely stopped.

A sustainable, medium and long-term plan will be developed to utilize this water within India, particularly for irrigation in the country’s border states.

During the annual Kharif campaign meeting held yesterday, the Agriculture Minister stated that the Indus Water Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, was a historical mistake that ignored India’s interests.

According to him, India has suffered the consequences of this decision, as Pakistan gained significant water resources, leading to improved agricultural conditions in that country.

He emphasized that had India shown firmness at the time, Pakistan’s economic condition might have deteriorated more severely.

Under the terms of the treaty, 80 percent of the water from rivers such as the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum was allocated to Pakistan. Now, the Indian government has postponed the implementation of the treaty, which has reportedly caused alarm in Pakistan.

The Agriculture Minister said this move is in the interest of Indian farmers, especially those in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, who will benefit from increased water availability for crop irrigation.

He clarified that the immediate goal is to stop the flow of water to Pakistan, with a final decision on the treaty itself to be taken later.

It is notable that in 2021, the then Minister of Jal Shakti had already stated that steps had been initiated to block surplus water from flowing into Pakistan.